New Delhi: Following the cancellation of NEET-UG 2026 amid allegations of a large-scale question paper leak, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) presented nine demands to Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. These include decentralising the exam, establishing fast-track courts, and ensuring exemplary punishment for those responsible for the leak.
As the apex body of doctors, the IMA noted that the exam had been cancelled twice in the last four years due to paper leaks and irregularities. It contended that conducting the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (Undergraduate) in a single phase, on a single day, using physical question papers across the country had become unworkable.
In a letter, IMA National President Dr Anilkumar J. Nayak wrote that the recurring controversies had taken a toll on an entire generation of aspirants. “Such incidents have caused immense mental trauma, stress, hardship, and uncertainty for more than 22.5 lakh students and their families, who dedicate years of sincere preparation for this highly competitive examination.”
NEET-UG 2026, for which over 22.5 lakh students appeared across more than 5,500 centres in 551 cities, was cancelled after the question paper was allegedly leaked before the exam date.
On Friday, Pradhan rescheduled the NEET-UG 2026 for 21 June. He also announced that the exam will move to a computer-based test mode, starting in 2027.
The IMA’s key demands include decentralising the examination by assigning a greater responsibility to states and Union Territories under a transparent framework, establishing special fast-track courts for daily hearings in the leak case, and conducting a comprehensive and impartial investigation to identify every individual and institution involved.
The IMA also called for advanced technological safeguards, independent oversight to restore public trust, and accessible counselling for affected students and parents.
On the larger stakes, Dr Nayak wrote, “The medical profession is built upon ethics, trust, and credibility. Therefore, the process of selecting future doctors must uphold these very same principles.”
(Edited by Madhurita Goswami)
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Writing to Mr. Pradhan is useless. He done a horrendous job and sooner or later is going to lose his berth.
Write to the PMO or HMO.