NEW DELHI/ DEHRADUN, May 14: The Federation of Resident Doctors’ Association (FORDA) has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi demanding strict action against those involved in the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak and seeking a shift to a computer-based format for the medical entrance test.
The NEET-UG examination was conducted on May 3, following which allegations of a paper leak surfaced, triggering investigations by Rajasthan Police’s Special Operations Group (SOG).
The National Testing Agency (NTA) on Tuesday cancelled the examination and said it would be re-conducted on dates to be announced separately.
In a statement, the NTA said the decision was taken with the approval of the Centre in the interest of maintaining transparency and preserving trust in the national examination system.
In a letter to the prime minister dated May 13, the FORDA described the alleged paper leak as a “moral and institutional catastrophe” that had impacted nearly 23 lakh medical aspirants and their families.
The resident doctors’ body said repeated paper leak incidents in national-level exams pointed to a “recurring systemic failure” and exposed serious gaps in the examination system.
“The recent cancellation of NEET-UG 2026 by the National Testing Agency following credible reports of a paper leak is not merely an administrative failure; it is a moral and institutional catastrophe that has shattered the dreams, mental health, and years of relentless preparation of millions of young Indians,” the letter said.
FORDA said the controversy had disrupted the academic year of nearly 23 lakh students, while many families had spent large amounts on coaching and exam preparation.
The association demanded strict punishment for all those involved in the alleged leak, including paper setters, officials of printing agencies, coaching institute operators and middlemen. It also called for fast-track courts to handle examination fraud cases and a stronger central law against such malpractice.
Seeking structural reforms, FORDA urged the Centre to immediately move NEET-UG to a computer-based test model similar to IIT-JEE Advanced, saying the current pen-and-paper format was prone to leaks.
“The IIT model has demonstrated over decades that large-scale national examinations can be conducted with integrity. There is no justification for NEET to continue in its current format,” the letter stated.
FORDA also sought a re-examination with “full public accountability”, supervision by a Supreme Court-monitored committee and stronger security measures.
Call to scrap NTA
Meanwhile, the Congress on Thursday demanded the immediate scrapping of the NTA and the dismissal of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, alleging a massive “auction” of seats in the NEET examination.
Addressing a press conference here, Congress national spokesperson Alok Sharma termed the NTA a “private NGO” rather than a credible government body.
He alleged that the agency, established in 2017, has become a tool for the RSS and BJP to facilitate “backdoor entries” for their associates, mirroring the Vyapam scam of Madhya Pradesh.
The remarks came days after the NTA cancelled the NEET-UG 2026 examination held on May 3, following allegations of paper leaks and irregularities. The agency announced that it would conduct the examination again.
Sharma termed the NEET controversy “Vyapam Part 2”, noting that the NTA has conducted 14 exams since its inception, with six reported leaks.
“This is not just a leak; it is an auction of our children’s future. We demand that the NTA be scrapped immediately and major examinations like NEET be conducted by established government bodies such as the UPSC or CBSE,” Sharma said.
The opposition party further demanded a time-bound, Supreme Court-monitored probe and the constitution of a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) to investigate the alleged irregularities in the 2024 and 2026 examinations.
Sharma claimed that despite 48 arrests made during previous investigations, the CBI failed to file chargesheets within the mandatory 90-day period. He alleged this was done to protect high-ranking officials with links to the ruling party.
“The education minister must be sacked, not just removed. He has remained silent while the future of 25 to 30 lakh students is being destroyed,” the Congress leader added.
The Congress also called for a comprehensive forensic and financial audit of the NTA.
Sharma questioned the legal authority granted to the agency to conduct high-stakes national exams and sought transparency regarding the funds collected from students as examination fees.
Highlighting the scale of the issue, Sharma alleged that paper leaks have occurred in 89 examinations across various states under the “double-engine” governments since 2014, affecting the careers of millions of aspirants.
Five accused sent to 7-day CBI custody
A Delhi court on Thursday sent five people arrested in a case related to the NEET-UG exam leak to seven days’ CBI custody.
Special CBI judge Ajay Gupta was hearing a CBI plea to interrogate all five accused for seven more days in the case to unearth the whole conspiracy. The agency arrested the five for their alleged involvement in the leak of the exam conducted on May 3 by the National Testing Agency (NTA).
The five arrested were identified as Shubham Khairnar from Nashik, Mangilal Biwal from Jaipur, Vikas Biwal and Dinesh Biwal from Jaipur, and Yash Yadav from Gurugram.
They were taken into custody by the agency after a transit remand was secured from different states. (PTI)
