How A WhatsApp ‘Guess Paper’ Allegedly Cracked NEET-UG 2026 Despite NTA’s Security Shield

More than 22.7 lakh students appeared for the NEET-UG 2026 examination on May 3 under what the National Testing Agency (NTA) described as one of the most tightly monitored exam operations ever conducted in India. However, allegations surrounding a leaked "guess paper" have now placed the credibility of the medical entrance test under intense scrutiny, prompting investigations by the Rajasthan Police Special Operations Group (SOG) and a CBI probe ordered by the Centre.

The controversy centres around claims that a document carrying nearly 410 questions had been circulating among students weeks before the examination, with a large number of those questions allegedly matching the actual paper.

Questions From 'Guess Paper' Allegedly Matched Real Exam

According to a report by ANI, investigators suspect that nearly 120 questions from the circulated material appeared in the Chemistry section of the actual NEET-UG 2026 paper. Authorities believe the document had been shared with students between 15 days and one month before the examination.

The alleged material was reportedly distributed through WhatsApp groups as late as 42 hours before the exam began, raising serious concerns over whether the leak was part of a larger organised network.

SOG Additional Director General Vishal Bansal said, "Our investigation is currently focused on determining whether any cheating or criminal activity has occurred based on this guess paper."

He further added, "We are actively examining this matter and are currently engaged in the investigative process. No, as of now, we have not made any arrests of any kind."

The development has intensified fears among students and parents who had already been anxious following previous controversies linked to national-level examinations.

NTA Defends Security Measures Amid Leak Allegations

As criticism mounted, the NTA released a detailed statement defending the security arrangements put in place for the May 3 examination.

The agency said the exam was conducted under "full security protocol" across all centres nationwide. According to the NTA, question papers were transported using GPS-enabled vehicles and carried unique watermark identifiers that could be traced individually.

The examination process also reportedly included AI-assisted CCTV surveillance from a central control room, biometric verification for candidates and deployment of 5G jammers at centres to prevent electronic malpractice.

The agency stated that it first received information regarding suspected irregularities on May 7 and immediately escalated the matter to central agencies the following day.

"These inputs were escalated by NTA to central agencies on the morning of 8 May 2026 for independent verification and necessary action. These inputs were escalated by NTA to central agencies on the morning of 8 May 2026 for independent verification and necessary action," the statement said.

The NTA also maintained that it would not jump to conclusions while the investigation remained active.

"NTA will not pre-judge the inquiry, nor characterise its likely outcome. Whatever the agencies determine including findings that may require further action will be examined transparently and disclosed in keeping with established procedure," the agency added.

NEET-UG 2026 Cancelled, CBI Steps In

Following consultations between the NTA and central agencies, the government approved the cancellation of the NEET-UG 2026 examination in a move aimed at preserving the credibility of the admission process.

Fresh examination dates and new admit card schedules are expected to be announced separately through official NTA channels in the coming days.

The case has now been handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which will conduct a detailed probe into the alleged leak network and examine whether organised malpractice took place.

The NTA has stated that it will extend full cooperation to investigating agencies and stressed that maintaining student trust remains its priority.

Anger Grows Among Students And Medical Community

The controversy has triggered widespread outrage among aspirants and parents, many of whom fear that honest students may once again suffer because of systemic failures.

Several members of the medical fraternity have also drawn parallels with the NEET 2024 paper leak controversy, arguing that repeated allegations of irregularities indicate deeper structural problems in the conduct of national-level entrance examinations.

NEET-UG remains India's single largest gateway for undergraduate medical admissions and was conducted this year across 551 cities in India and 14 international centres. With lakhs of careers dependent on the examination, calls for major reforms and stronger accountability mechanisms have intensified in the wake of the latest controversy.