NEET-UG leak video surfaces, NTA calls it fake; launches action against those spreading misinformation

New Delhi: The National Testing Agency (NTA) dismissed as fake a video circulating on social media claiming that the NEET-UG 2026 question paper had been leaked, and said action was being taken against those responsible for creating and sharing the misinformation.

In a statement posted on X, the agency said the video was fabricated and that the examination had been conducted successfully under stringent security and surveillance measures.

“NTA’s attention has been drawn to a fabricated video being circulated on social media regarding NEET (UG) 2026. The video is fake and the claims it makes are false,” the statement said.

The agency described the deliberate creation and circulation of such misleading content as a “serious offence” aimed at defrauding and alarming students and their families.

“NTA, with the support of I4C and law-enforcement agencies, is taking action against those responsible for originating this content,” it said.

Appealing to students, parents and the public, the agency urged people to rely only on information shared through its official website and verified social media handles and refrain from amplifying unverified material.

“Our 20 lakh-plus aspirants deserve a calm and fair process,” it added.

The clarification came after more than 20 lakh medical aspirants appeared for the NEET-UG 2026 re-examination on Sunday, held after the original test was cancelled following allegations of paper leaks that sparked nationwide outrage and put the government under pressure.

Abhishek Singh, Director General of the NTA, said a “whole-of-government” approach enabled the agency to conduct the massive exercise within a record 37 days.

According to the NTA, over 20 lakh candidates took the re-examination at 5,440 centres across India and 14 centres abroad. The test was conducted in 13 languages, including Hindi and English.

“This was not the NTA acting alone. It was Team Bharat — a chain of people across the country who showed up so that, for each candidate, the only thing that mattered that morning was the paper in front of them,” the agency said.

It said nearly 7 lakh personnel, including police teams, observers and examination staff, were mobilised nationwide. The agency also acknowledged the contribution of experts from academic institutions who volunteered their time to prepare multiple sets of question papers.

Education Minister of India, Dharmendra Pradhan, reviewed the arrangements for the smooth conduct of the examination at the NTA headquarters in Delhi’s Okhla.

“The NTA apprised the minister of the logistical and technical arrangements put in place for the efficient and transparent conduct of the examination,” the Ministry of Education said.

The agency said extensive arrangements were made for all candidates, including more than 10,000 Persons with Disabilities.

Special provisions were also made for around 81 candidates with medical conditions, including a child recovering from a road accident and another undergoing chemotherapy, ensuring they were able to take the examination.

To prevent unfair practices, Aadhaar-based biometric verification, face authentication, CCTV surveillance, jammers and two-layer frisking with the support of state police were deployed at examination centres.

Command and control centres for CCTV monitoring were established at the national level at the NTA and the Ministry of Education, as well as at 34 centrally funded institutions, in every state and at district collectorates, the agency said.

Singh said a few irregularities were detected during the examination.

“There were some minor reports regarding people coming with wrong admit cards, people coming with some forged admit cards at a few places; impersonation cases were also found out,” he said.

“At a few places, somebody was trying to take a mobile phone. Action has been taken on that because that’s the purpose of putting frisking, CCTV cameras and handheld metal detectors — to not allow any unfair means. There were a few people who were trying to do that, but they were not able to,” he added.

Meanwhile, investigations into the alleged paper leak are continuing. The newly formed Cockroach Janta Party, led by Abhijeet Dipke and which began as an online campaign, has been staging protests across the country demanding the resignation of the education minister.

The NTA said the conduct of the examination drew support from the Central Armed Police Forces and several central ministries to ensure a secure and transparent process.