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Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Friday announced that the NEET UG examination will be conducted entirely in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode from next year, marking a major reform in India's medical entrance examination system amid the ongoing controversy over the NEET UG 2026 paper leak.

Addressing a press conference, Pradhan confirmed that the NEET UG 2026 re-examination will be held on June 21, while admit cards will be issued by June 14. He said the original examination, conducted on May 3, was cancelled after authorities confirmed that the question paper had been leaked.

Pradhan said concerns first emerged on May 7 regarding a suspected "guess paper", following which complaints were forwarded to central agencies. "Once we were certain about the leak, we immediately decided that there should be no compromise with students' fair chance," he said, adding that the examination was cancelled on May 12.

Reiterating the government's "zero-tolerance" approach towards exam malpractice, the minister said the Central Bureau of Investigation has been directed to conduct a detailed probe into the breach and identify those responsible.

"We do not want any mafia to snatch seats from hardworking students. Student trust is of utmost importance," Pradhan said, warning that strict action would be taken against all those involved.

He also acknowledged that there had been a breach in the examination command chain despite reforms recommended by the Radhakrishnan Committee and assured that corrective steps were being taken to strengthen the system further.

The minister said candidates would receive refunds of their examination fees and that the re-examination would be conducted free of cost. To ease logistical challenges, the National Testing Agency will allow candidates to select their preferred exam city one week before the test. Transportation facilities will also be arranged as far as possible, depending on weather conditions.

Pradhan further said the NTA, established on the recommendation of the Supreme Court, is undergoing continuous reforms to ensure "zero-error" examinations in the future.

Meanwhile, students reacting to the announcement expressed concerns that the re-exam could be tougher than the original paper, as authorities often increase the difficulty level after a paper leak incident.

Speaking to IANS, NEET aspirant Amrit Gehlot said students from economically weaker backgrounds would suffer heavily if such incidents recur. "If the paper gets leaked again then we will stand to lose a year. We will again have to bear the financial burden of travelling, rent and coaching," he said.

Another student, Yogita, said the leak had shaken candidates' confidence. "Even though the exam is being held again, the confidence and hope are not the same as before," she said.

NEET aspirant Varsha said students now need to be mentally stronger and prepare harder. "Whenever an exam is held for the second time, the questions are tougher," she said.

Student Akshit Kumar, while expressing disappointment with the NTA over repeated irregularities, said he still hoped to secure admission in a good medical college through the re-exam.

The NTA had earlier cancelled NEET UG 2026 after confirmation of the paper leak. Around 22.79 lakh candidates had registered for the examination this year.