NEET-UG Re-Exam Top Priority, Dharmendra Pradhan Chairs First High-Level Review Meeting: Govt Focuses on Fair, Transparent Conduct
New Delhi, May 15: Two days after the cancellation of NEET-UG 2026 amid allegations of a nationwide paper leak, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Thursday chaired the first high-level review meeting with top officials to discuss preparations for the proposed re-examination.
Sources said the late-night meeting, held at the Education Minister’s residence in New Delhi, focused extensively on conducting the NEET re-examination in a secure, transparent and credible manner. Fresh dates for the examination are yet to be officially announced.
Senior officials present during the meeting included Higher Education Secretary Vineet Joshi, School Education Secretary Sanjay Kumar, National Testing Agency (NTA) Director General Abhishek Singh, CBSE Chairperson Rahul Singh, besides commissioners from Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS) and Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti (NVS).
According to sources in the Ministry of Education, the Centre’s foremost priority is to ensure that the re-examination is conducted without any irregularities and with complete transparency. Officials also reviewed security protocols, logistical arrangements and examination modalities during the meeting.
Sources further stated that while broad plans regarding the re-exam have been discussed, the exact schedule is still being finalised and is expected to be announced within the next five to seven days.
The meeting also included a comprehensive assessment of developments following the cancellation of NEET-UG 2026, which was originally conducted on May 3. The examination was scrapped by the National Testing Agency after allegations surfaced regarding leakage of the question paper, affecting more than 22 lakh aspirants across the country.
The matter is currently being investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), amid growing concerns over the integrity and credibility of the national-level medical entrance examination.
Meanwhile, the Rouse Avenue Court granted seven-day CBI custody of five accused arrested in connection with the NEET-UG paper leak case.
The accused — Mangilal Biwal, Dinesh Biwal, Vikas Biwal, Shubham Khairnar and Yash Yadav — were produced before Special CBI Judge Ajay Gupta, who remanded them to seven days’ custody for further interrogation.
While granting custody, the court observed that accused Dinesh Biwal allegedly facilitated circulation of the leaked NEET question paper in conspiracy with other accused persons. The court noted that the case points towards a larger organised conspiracy and that the investigation is currently at a preliminary stage.
The CBI informed the court that custodial interrogation is necessary to uncover the complete network involved in the paper leak, identify additional members of the organised racket and recover incriminating material connected to the case.
The court further observed that custody was also required to prevent destruction or tampering of evidence, noting that some accused had allegedly deleted crucial data from their mobile phones.
The court has directed the CBI to produce all accused persons again on May 20, 2026.
Investigators alleged that accused Mangilal Biwal had initially contacted Shubham Khairnar to obtain the NEET question paper for his son, Vikas Biwal. The probe further revealed that the leaked paper was allegedly circulated through a wider chain involving multiple accused.
According to the investigation, Shubham Khairnar allegedly leaked the paper to Yash Yadav, who then passed it to Mangilal Biwal, followed by Vikas and Dinesh Biwal.
The CBI also alleged that Mangilal Biwal sold the leaked question paper to several candidates for nearly Rs 12 lakh each. (KNC)
