CBI Targets NTA in NEET 2026 Leak Scandal Post-Reforms Failure

The NEET UG 2026 paper leak has ignited a firestorm, pulling the National Testing Agency (NTA) under the CBI's microscope just years after touted internal overhauls. The May 3 exam cancellation has left millions of aspiring doctors in limbo, with a retest set for June 21 amid promises of ironclad security. Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan minced no words during his press briefing: the probe will dig deep into NTA's role, ensuring accountability across the board. Reforms from 2024, aimed at transparency via Radhakrishnan panel suggestions, evidently fell short, prompting vows for more comprehensive fixes. Calling exam irregularities a 'social disease,' Pradhan rallied stakeholders for unity against this plague that undermines talented students' futures. A game-changer announcement: NEET goes fully computer-based from next year, a move to outsmart leak syndicates. Relief measures abound—no retest fees, full refunds for the botched exam, and flexible city choices within a week of notification. The exam now runs from 2 PM to 5:15 PM, up 15 minutes to smooth formalities. Pradhan highlighted state collaborations for logistics, weather backups for monsoons, and seamless execution despite Yoga Day overlap. Dismissing opposition barbs as politicization, he stressed this as a national crisis demanding zero tolerance. As CBI ramps up, the focus sharpens on rebuilding trust in India's competitive exam framework, ensuring merit triumphs over money.