Introductory Memo
For millions of students, NEET is more than an entrance examination; it represents years of sacrifice, financial pressure and aspirations tied to India’s medical education system. The cancellation of NEET-UG 2026 after allegations of a large-scale paper leak has therefore triggered a crisis that extends beyond one examination cycle. From encrypted WhatsApp networks and interstate consultancy links to repeated institutional lapses, the controversy has exposed how organised cheating syndicates are evolving faster than the systems designed to stop them, raising serious questions about the credibility of India’s examination architecture.