Chandigarh, May 12: Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) chief Sukhbir Singh Badal on Tuesday called the cancellation of the NEET (UG) 2026 exam extremely unfortunate and deeply distressing.
He further said it has put a serious question mark on the functioning of the National Testing Agency (NTA).
“The CBI must carry out a thorough, time-bound investigation, examining the role and functioning of the NTA as well as all other agencies involved, to ensure the foolproof conduct of such critical national-level exams in the future,” Badal said in a post on X.
“To all sincere students: Your hard work and dreams matter. We stand firmly with you and will not allow this injustice to go unaddressed,” he further said.
Punjab Congress chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring slammed the BJP-led Centre over the cancellation of the exam.
“NEET (UG) 2026 cancelled after paper leak allegations. This is what @BJP4India ‘New India’ looks like — leaked papers, broken systems and ruined futures.
“Lakhs of students studied for years, faced pressure, anxiety and sleepless nights only for this government to fail them again. Under BJP, paper leaks have become normal and accountability has disappeared,” Warring said in a post on X.
Further attacking the Centre, the Ludhiana MP said, “The BJP government has turned competitive exams into a joke while students and parents continue to suffer the consequences of its incompetence and corruption. Students deserve accountability, not excuses.”
The NTA on Tuesday cancelled the NEET (UG) 2026 exam held on May 3 amid allegations of paper leak, with the government asking the CBI to carry out a comprehensive inquiry into the “irregularities”.
The examination for students seeking admission to undergraduate courses in medical colleges will now be held afresh on dates to be notified separately.
The NEET-UG 2026 examination was held across 551 cities in India and 14 cities abroad. The examination was organised by the NTA for nearly 23 lakh registered candidates at centres across the country.
