GovernanceEducation
News 21 of 27

NTA Cancels NEET-UG 2026 Over Malpractice Allegations Despite Aadhaar Biometrics, 1.85 Lakh CCTVs, and 5-Tier Security

Target:UPSC GS-IIMPSCTeachingSSC GAPrelims HighMains MediumStatic GK Link
29 May 2026
~2 min
Source: Indian Express
Key Data:May 3, 2026May 12, 202622 lakh+ candidates5,432 centres1.85 lakh CCTV cameras101 recommendations
Bodies:NTASupreme CourtCBIMinistry of EducationHigh-Powered Steering Committee
Practice MCQs from today's news ▸
What This Article Covers

1.The NTA cancelled NEET-UG 2026 on May 12, 2026, and referred the case to the CBI after receiving malpractice inputs on May 7, despite deploying advanced security measures.

2.Security reforms were supervised by a High-Powered Steering Committee headed by former ISRO chairman K Radhakrishnan, following 101 recommendations from a 2024 expert committee.

3.The case tests the accountability of autonomous testing bodies and underscores the need for a transition to a computer-based test (CBT) format, as recommended by experts.

The Big Picture
Prelims · HighMains · Medium

The National Testing Agency (NTA) defended its cancellation of NEET-UG 2026 before the Supreme Court, citing specific malpractice inputs despite implementing a stringent security framework including Aadhaar-based biometrics and AI surveillance. This highlights the persistent governance challenge of securing high-stakes national exams, a critical issue for aspirants and policymakers.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

Exam DateMay 3, 2026
Cancellation DateMay 12, 2026
Number of Candidates22 lakh+
Examination Centres5,432 (India) + 14 (abroad)
CCTV Cameras Deployed1.85 lakh

1-Minute Revision

  • ›Exam Date: May 3, 2026
  • ›Cancellation Date: May 12, 2026
  • ›Target this Data: 1.85 lakh CCTV cameras deployed for NEET-UG 2026 surveillance.
  • ›Target this Nodal Body: High-Powered Steering Committee headed by former ISRO chairman K Radhakrishnan.
  • ›Target this Legal Point: Supreme Court Bench of Justices P S Narasimha and Alok Aradhe hearing the petitions.

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Q1Static LinkageEasy

The High-Powered Steering Committee overseeing NEET reforms is headed by which former chairman?

Q2Statement-basedHard

Consider the following statements regarding the NEET-UG 2026 examination:

1. It was conducted at over 5,400 centres within India and a few centres abroad.

2. The examination was cancelled immediately on the day it was conducted, May 3, 2026.

3. The security architecture included Aadhaar-based biometric authentication and AI-assisted CCTV surveillance.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricMedium

According to the NTA affidavit, how many CCTV cameras were deployed across examination centres for NEET-UG 2026?

Q4Application/ImpactMedium

What was the primary reason cited by the NTA for cancelling the NEET-UG 2026 examination despite stringent security?

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