JAIPUR: Just two days before the NEET 2026 exam, a set of handwritten pages quietly began circulating among a small group of students in Rajasthan’s Sikar. It wasn’t unusual every year, “guess papers” and practice banks flood coaching hubs. But this time, something felt different. On May 3, lakhs of students appeared for NEET (UG) 2026, conducted by the National Testing Agency. The NEET exam, as always, was tightly secured. The NEET question papers were transported in GPS-tracked vehicles, biometric verification at centres, AI-monitored CCTV surveillance, and even 5G jammers to block communication.
Everything seemed normal. But four days later, a disturbing detail surfaced. Investigators from the Rajasthan Police Special Operations Group (SOG) discovered that the handwritten “guess paper” circulating before the exam had an uncanny resemblance to the actual NEET paper. Around 140 questions matched almost exactly, accounting for nearly 600 out of 720 marks. For a moment, the line between coincidence and conspiracy blurred.
According to sources, the material began circulating on May 1 i.e., 48 hours before the exam. At first, it was seen as just another coaching institute’s prediction sheet. But it caught attention when students compared it with the actual exam paper. The match was too close to ignore the same questions, same pattern, and in some cases, even the exact wording.
What raised more doubt was its format. It was handwritten, not widely printed or shared online, which suggests that it was circulated in a limited way. Now, investigators are trying to find out where it came from: was it just a very accurate prediction, or a sign of a leak in one of India’s most secure exam systems?
The National Testing Agency is aware of reports concerning the action initiated by the Rajasthan Special Operations Group in connection with alleged irregularities around NEET (UG) 2026. The following is placed on record for the information of candidates, parents, and the public.…
— National Testing Agency (@NTA_Exams) May 10, 2026
On May 10, the National Testing Agency issued a detailed statement acknowledging the investigation. The agency maintained that the exam was conducted under “full security protocol” and that the process across all centres was smooth. However, the National Testing Agency confirmed that it received inputs about “alleged malpractice” on May 7 and quickly passed the information to central agencies for investigation. Its response has been cautious, without clearly confirming or denying any such leak. NTA has also mentioned that the genuine candidates will not be affected, the investigation will establish the truth, and any action will be taken in a transparent manner. For now, it is acting only as a supporting body, not the main investigating authority. Meanwhile, Sikar, a major coaching hub in Rajasthan known for producing NEET and Investigators are trying to find out whether the “guess paper” originated from a coaching network, was sold to students, or is linked to a larger organised leak racket. Recent detentions suggest that authorities, including the Rajasthan Police Special Operations Group, are taking the case seriously.
Leak or Luck? The Core Question
At the heart of the controversy lies a critical question – Can a guess paper really match 140 questions in a national-level exam? Experts say that while coaching institutes often predict trends, matching questions worth 600 marks is statistically extraordinary. Even the best prediction models typically align with only a small portion of the paper. For lakhs of aspirants who spent years preparing, the news has brought anxiety and uncertainty. Social media is filled with questions like – Will the exam be cancelled? Will there be a re-test? Will merit be affected?
The NTA has attempted to reassure candidates, stating that the efforts of genuine aspirants “will not be devalued.” But until the probe concludes, uncertainty continues to loom.
The findings of the Rajasthan Police Special Operations Group will play a key role in deciding the next steps. On the basis of their report, authorities, including the Ministry of Education, may take different actions ranging from no action if no wrongdoing is found, to strict steps against specific candidates or exam centres involved. If a paper leak is confirmed, a larger decision like conducting a re-examination could also be considered. For now, it is in a wait-and-watch mode.
