India’s NEET-UG 2026 examination, one of the country’s largest medical entrance tests, has been cancelled following allegations that a “guess paper” containing hundreds of predicted questions was circulated before the exam, triggering a nationwide investigation into potential question pattern leakage. The controversy emerged after more than 22 lakh students appeared for the examination conducted on May 3 under strict security arrangements. Days later, authorities scrapped the exam after concerns were raised that a handwritten “guess paper” had been widely shared through coaching institutes and social media platforms, including WhatsApp groups, prior to the test.

According to Rajasthan Police’s Special Operations Group (SOG), the document in question reportedly contained around 410 questions. Officials alleged that a significant number of questions from the actual NEET paper closely matched or resembled those found in the circulated material, raising suspicions of advance access to exam patterns. “There is a guess paper containing approximately 410 questions. Out of these, it is alleged that roughly 120 questions appeared from that,” Vishal Bansal, Additional Director General of the Rajasthan Police SOG, told ANI. Investigators said the matter is now being examined by central agencies to determine whether it involved organised malpractice or broader systemic breaches.

A guess paper is typically a study aid prepared by coaching institutes or educators that contains predicted questions based on previous years’ exam trends, frequently tested concepts, and expected syllabus coverage. While such materials are common in competitive exams, officials are investigating whether the document in this case went beyond prediction and mirrored actual examination content too closely.

Authorities noted that the Chemistry section of NEET usually contains 45 questions, with multiple question paper sets used in the examination. However, preliminary findings suggest that similarities extended beyond a single subject. The SOG reported that more than 100 questions across Biology and Chemistry combined showed “striking similarities” to those in the official exam paper.

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The alleged overlap has intensified scrutiny over the integrity of the examination process, with investigators now attempting to trace the origin and distribution network of the leaked material. Officials are also examining whether coaching centres or intermediaries played a role in circulating the document ahead of the test.

The cancellation of NEET-UG 2026 has sparked concern among students and parents across the country, given the scale of participation and the importance of the exam in determining medical admissions. Authorities have not yet announced a revised examination schedule, while the investigation into the alleged leak continues.

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