Despite a high-level investigation being launched into the leak of the initial National Eligibility cum Entrance Test-Undergraduate (NEET-UG) question paper, one can still see purported paper leak messages circulating online. When mid-day accessed platforms such as Telegram, a few groups were seen posting messages advertising the sale of NEET re-exam (re-NEET) papers and asking for payments ranging from Rs 80,000 to Rs 1 lakh in instalments before and after the exam.
One Telegram channel that mid-day accessed had nearly 900 subscribers and urged the students to grab their last chance at MBBS seats.
The National Testing Agency officially cancelled the NEET-UG 2026 exam due to a widespread paper leak, affecting over 22 lakh candidates. Representation Pic
After the NEET paper leak that came to light after the May 3 exam, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) launched a probe into the foul play, while the National Testing Agency (NTA) has begun undergoing restructuring. In a first, the education minister also announced that, from next year, the exam is to be conducted as a computer-based test like the Joint Entrance Examination, doing away with the pen-and-paper format. Despite these shifts, parents still remain apprehensive about the sanctity of the upcoming exam, which is to be held on June 21.
‘Stricter regulations needed’
Advocate Anubha Shrivastava Sahai, president of the India Wide Parents Association, told mid-day, “If students are added to or learn about any such groups, they should immediately write to the authorities or the National Testing Agency.”
Scams like these have been running rampant year after year, where students are given the fake papers more often than not, as per the child rights activist. “Students risk losing money and time by relying on these illicit messengers, which is why we need to frame stricter regulations against these malpractices. This year, we saw a high-level leak, which is why the NTA has seen major shifts in its policy,” Sahai added.
‘Scams are rampant’
Meanwhile, coaching classes have started with practise tests and doubt-clearing sessions again. “We have heard of several cases where students shell out large sums and get papers that don’t remotely resemble the actual paper. Leaks and parallel scams have become a student trap given the huge disparity between the number of applicants and the number of seats,” said Prajesh Trotsky, head of the Maharashtra Class Owners’ Association.
The class owners’ association is to go on a strike on Wednesday in Azad Maidan to distance themselves from those coaching classes that were involved in these malpractices, while asking for representation in further decision-making.
Parent Speak
Rahul Rajgrahia, a Worli resident whose daughter is about to take the NEET again
‘I have been seeing screenshots of leaked re-NEET paper on social media. But, we stay away from all of that. My daughter is stressed amid the reattempt and has been waking up at 4.30 am every day to start her studies and has kept her smartphone away, like most students. That’s how they steer clear of such frauds’
Students’ self-belief
Reposing faith in their preparation, many students don’t believe that these channels are a way to crack their papers. “These are likely scams where the admin takes your money and sends you nothing. Such high-level papers have never leaked on Telegram,” an NEET aspirant told mid-day.
June 21
Day NEET re-exam is scheduled to be held
May 3
Day NEET-UG exam was held
Need to contact NTA?
Email: neet.nta.nic.in
neetug2026@nta.ac.in
Numbers:
011-40759000/
011-69227700
