Following the National Testing Agency’s (NTA) decision to cancel the NEET UG 2026 examination conducted on May 3, tensions escalated in the national capital on Tuesday as student groups took to the streets demanding accountability over alleged irregularities and paper leak concerns.

Members of the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) staged a protest outside Shastri Bhawan, raising slogans and holding placards accusing the examination authority of compromising the credibility of one of the country’s most competitive medical entrance tests. The cancellation triggered widespread anger among aspirants, many of whom said months of preparation had been disrupted due to administrative failures.

Protesters alleged that repeated controversies surrounding national-level entrance examinations were eroding public confidence in the system. One of the demonstrators said, “The examination body has failed to ensure fairness, and students are the ones suffering the consequences,” while others demanded a thorough investigation into the alleged lapses that led to the cancellation.

Security arrangements were tightened around Shastri Bhawan as crowds swelled and student activists continued their demonstration, pressing for strict action against those responsible. Another protestor said that “lakhs of students who worked tirelessly are now paying the price for systemic negligence,” reflecting the growing frustration among aspirants.

Student leaders also called for complete transparency from the NTA and urged the government to introduce stronger safeguards to prevent future irregularities. They argued that recurring allegations of paper leaks in competitive examinations were creating uncertainty, mental stress, and distrust among students preparing for high-stakes entrance tests.