Shillong, May 14: Describing the National Testing Agency’s (NTA)’s decision to cancel the NEET UG 2026 examination nationwide as ‘disheartening’ and ‘totally unfortunate’, the Meghalaya government has urged the central government to act against those involved in the alleged NEET question paper leak and ensure justice for students.
“It is very disheartening and unfortunate that students from our state who appeared for the NEET exam must go through this stressful process all over again,” State Health and Family Welfare Minister and government spokesperson, Wailadmiki Shylla said on Thursday. Calling upon the central government to take swift action against those responsible, Shylla said, “On behalf of the state government, I am urging the Centre to do justice to the students. We would like to see that the central government should come up with something to assure the students and youth of our country.”
The NTA conducted NEET-UG 2026 across 5,432 where around 1.4 lakh appeared for the exam on May 3, 2026. The exam was later cancelled after law enforcement agencies probed the alleged paper leak.
The CBI which is probing the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak case have arrested five people for their alleged involvement in the case.
Meanwhile, the Hynñiewtrep Youths’ Council (HYC), a prominent pressure group in Meghalaya, has urged Director General of the NTA, Abhishek Singh to exempt the Northeast from any nationwide NEET-UG re-examination, citing the region’s clean record and the crushing logistical hurdles for tribal candidates.
In its letter, the HYC pointed out that there have been no credible reports of examination compromise within the state. They firmly believe that the integrity of the examination process must be maintained; however, it should not unjustly punish innocent students from remote regions.
The council also requested the NTA to adopt a more equitable approach, exempting Meghalaya and other northeastern states from any re-examinations, considering the lack of proven misconduct in these areas.
“While the integrity of national examinations is paramount, the mental well-being and future prospects of hardworking students must also be safeguarded,” the HYC said.
Friday, May 15, 2026