Students in Odisha are grappling with shock and frustration following allegations of irregularities and a suspected paper leak in the NEET-UG 2026 examination. Many candidates have described the situation as mentally exhausting after years of preparation.
The controversy has escalated into a national issue, prompting the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to file a First Information Report (FIR) based on a complaint from the Ministry of Education. The case is being investigated under various provisions, including criminal conspiracy, cheating, criminal breach of trust, theft, and destruction of evidence, along with sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act and the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024.
Special CBI teams are now deployed in multiple locations to investigate the alleged breach in examination conduct. Candidate Tanvi Sahu expressed her deep sadness over the controversy, noting that students had dedicated over two years to prepare for the exam. She described the situation as “mentally draining” and suggested that moving NEET online could help prevent future leaks.
Another aspirant, Swastik Pattanaik, voiced his frustration with the ongoing examination controversies, stating that repeated leaks undermine students’ hard work. He expressed hope to gain admission through JEE to avoid experiencing such distress again, highlighting the emotional toll on candidates.
Shagun Samantaray, another candidate, referred to the situation as “an injustice to lakhs of students,” emphasizing that repeated disruptions force aspirants to restart their preparations due to circumstances beyond their control. The controversy has sparked widespread outrage on social media, with many users criticizing authorities for their failure to secure examinations.
User Hara Sahu called for accountability within the education system for the distress caused to nearly 22 lakh students, questioning the authorities’ ability to prevent such incidents. The controversy has also elicited strong political reactions.
Opposition parties, including BJD and Congress, have demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan following the exam’s cancellation, alleging his repeated failure to uphold examination integrity. Former chief minister and Leader of the Opposition Naveen Patnaik characterized the alleged leak as a “severe blow” to the trust students place in the examination system.
“When the sanctity of examinations is compromised, it is not just a lapse—it is a betrayal of lakhs of aspirants who studied with discipline, sacrificed comforts, and devoted sleepless nights to their preparation,” he stated in a post on X.
Patnaik further noted, “This is not the first time #NEET papers have been leaked. The leaks deepen cynicism, heighten anxiety, and jeopardize the careers of hardworking students who expect fairness.”
During a press conference, BJD’s youth wing president Chinmay Sahu and students’ wing chief Ipsita Sahoo claimed that the Central government is jeopardizing the future of 22 lakh aspirants. OPCC spokesperson Debashish Bhuyan also alleged that the Centre has thrown students’ futures into uncertainty, recalling that the NTA was established in 2019 to ensure transparency in NEET exam conduct, yet several irregularities have been reported since then.
