The NEET UG 2026 re-exam will be conducted free of cost for affected candidates, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan announced during a press conference on the ongoing paper leak controversy.
The minister also confirmed several major reforms aimed at improving exam security and protecting students’ futures.
According to the announcement, the NEET UG 2026 re-exam is scheduled for June 21, and candidates will be given an additional 15 minutes during the test. The admit cards for the re-exam are expected to be issued by June 14.
NEET UG Re-Exam to Be Conducted Free of Cost
In a major relief for students, Dharmendra Pradhan said that candidates appearing for the NEET UG 2026 re-exam will not have to pay the examination fee again. He added that students will also receive a refund of their earlier exam fee.
The decision comes after serious concerns were raised over the integrity of the NEET UG 2026 examination.
The government has said that the re-exam is being arranged to ensure fairness for students and restore confidence in the medical entrance examination process.
Admit Cards and Exam City Choice
The Education Minister confirmed that the NEET UG 2026 re-exam admit cards will be released by June 14. Candidates will be able to download their admit cards before the examination scheduled for June 21.
To make the process easier for students, the National Testing Agency will allow candidates to select their preferred exam city one week before the re-exam.
The minister also said that transportation facilities will be arranged as far as possible, especially considering weather-related challenges.
This step is expected to help students reduce travel stress and reach their exam centres more conveniently.
NEET UG to Shift to CBT Mode From Next Year
One of the biggest announcements made during the press conference was that NEET UG will be conducted in Computer-Based Test mode from next year.
This reform is expected to improve transparency, reduce paper-related risks, and strengthen the overall examination system.
Pradhan admitted that improvements are needed in the current process and said the government is committed to making the exam system more secure. The move to CBT mode is being seen as a significant step toward preventing future paper leak incidents.
Paper Leak Concerns and CBI Probe
The Education Minister said that the NEET UG 2026 exam was conducted on May 3, but concerns were raised on May 7 over a reported “guess paper.” Complaints were then forwarded to central government agencies.
According to Pradhan, authorities later confirmed that the paper had been leaked. He said the Central Bureau of Investigation will conduct a detailed probe to identify where the breach occurred in the examination chain.
The minister also stated that agencies have been instructed to find the root cause of the issue and ensure accountability.
Government Promises Zero Tolerance
Dharmendra Pradhan said the government will follow a zero-tolerance policy against malpractice and anti-social elements involved in exam-related fraud.
He warned that strict action will be taken against anyone found guilty of compromising the examination process.
He also referred to earlier reforms and committee recommendations, saying the government remains committed to protecting students from unfair practices.
Conclusion
The NEET UG 2026 re-exam announcement has brought major relief for affected candidates. With the re-exam scheduled for June 21, free participation, fee refunds, extra exam time, city preference options, and transport support, the government has promised steps to reduce student hardship.
The decision to shift NEET UG to CBT mode from next year marks a major reform in India’s medical entrance exam system.
As the CBI probe continues, students and parents will now be watching closely for further updates from the Education Ministry and NTA.