Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said the CBI will investigate the NEET UG 2026 paper leak and transition the exam to computers.
This shift represents a major overhaul of one of India's most competitive medical entrance exams. The decision follows a significant security breach that compromised the integrity of the 2026 testing cycle and sparked widespread concern among students.
Pradhan said the Central Bureau of Investigation will conduct a deep investigation to identify how the leak occurred. "The CBI probe will reach the root of the breach," Pradhan said [2]. The government intends to use the agency to ensure that those responsible for the compromise are held accountable.
To prevent future leaks, the ministry will change the delivery method of the test. Pradhan said, "From next year, NEET UG exams will be computer-based" [3]. This transition to a digital format is scheduled to take effect in 2027 [3].
As part of the immediate remedy for affected candidates, the government will provide a retest. Pradhan said there will be zero fees for this retest [3]. This measure aims to alleviate the financial burden on students who must retake the exam due to the administrative failure.
The move to a computer-based format is intended to reduce the risks associated with the printing and transport of physical question papers. By digitizing the process, the ministry hopes to implement tighter security protocols, and real-time monitoring to eliminate the possibility of physical leaks.
“"The CBI probe will reach the root of the breach,"”
The transition to a computer-based test (CBT) marks a strategic shift by the Indian government to mitigate systemic vulnerabilities in high-stakes examinations. By removing the physical paper trail, the ministry aims to close the gap where leaks typically occur—during printing and distribution—though this will require a massive scaling of digital infrastructure across all testing centers to ensure equitable access.
