NEET 2026: NMC directs medical colleges not to grant leave to students

New Delhi: As the NEET UG 2026 examination approaches, the National Medical Commission (NMC) has advised all medical colleges not to grant leave to students on May 2nd, 2026 and May 3rd, 2026, except in exceptional circumstances with proper justification.

Issuing a public notice on April 23, 2026, the Commission said the direction has been taken as a preventive step to discourage any possible misuse and to support the fair conduct of the NEET UG 2026, which is scheduled to be held on May 3, 2026.

The move comes following instructions from the Department of Higher Education under the Ministry of Education to maintain the sanctity and integrity of the NEET-UG 2026 examination.

In a letter to the Commission, Secretary of the Department of Higher Education, Vineet Joshi, pointed to past instances where some students of medical colleges were found to be involved in activities that could compromise the sanctity and integrity of the examination process. 

In view of this, and as a matter of general deterrence, the department asked the Commission to direct suitable instructions to all medical colleges to remain vigilant and ensure that students are sensitised against any involvement in activities prejudicial to the conduct of the examination.

"In the past, instances have come to notice where some students of medical colleges were found to be involved in activities that could compromise the sanctity and integrity of the examination process. In view of this, and as a matter of general deterrence, it is requested that suitable instructions may be issued to all medical colleges to remain vigilant and ensure that students are sensitized against any involvement in activities prejudicial to the conduct of the examination," the directive mentioned.

Acting on these instructions, the NMC directed all medical institutions to strictly comply with the guidelines of the Department of Higher Education (Ministry of Education).

Addressing the Dean and Principal of all the Medical Colleges and Institutions, NMC Secretary Raghav Langer stated, "A copy of D.O. letter No. F-24/1/2025-NTA dated 20th April, 2026 from Department of Higher Education (Ministry of Education) w.r.t ensuring the sanctity & integrity of the process of conduct of NEET (UG) 2026 Examination, scheduled to be held on 3rd May, 2026, is attached herewith for strict compliance by all Medical Colleges. In view of certain instances reported in the past, and as a matter of general deterrence, all Medical Colleges / Institutions shall remain vigilant and ensure that medical students are sensitized against any involvement in activities prejudicial to the conduct of the said examination. Further, as a preventive step to discourage any potential misuse and to support the fair conduct of the examination; it is advised not to grant leave to students on 2nd May and 3rd May 2026, except in exceptional circumstances with due justification."

To view the NMC notice, click on the link below:

NEET Controversy:

The NEET UG 2024 exam was mired in controversy after a paper leak scam came to light. Initially, around 13 people, including four examinees and their family members, were arrested in Bihar for their alleged involvement in the paper leak of the NEET-UG exam. Patna police sources claimed that the NEET-UG question papers along with their answers were provided to around 20 aspirants a day before the date of the exam i.e. May 5, 2024.

Then, the Economic Offences Unit (EOU) of Bihar Police, which took over the investigation, revealed that the brokers involved in the NEET paper leak scam took between Rs 30 lakh to Rs 50 lakh from each of the medical aspirants in exchange for giving them the question paper of the NEET UG 2024 question paper ahead of the examination.

Multiple pleas had been filed before the High Courts and the Supreme Court seeking an investigation into the alleged paper leak scam. Some of the pleas demanded the scrapping of the NEET UG 2024 exam and holding a retest.

Meanwhile, during the case proceedings, NTA decided to withdraw the grace marks awarded to 1563 candidates and hold an optional retest for those candidates. Those who did not opt for the retest were allowed to retain their original marks, without the grace marks.

The matter was investigated then by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The Central Government on June 22, 2024, handed over the charge of investigating in the alleged irregularities in the NEET UG 2024 examination to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

Earlier, while considering the NEET-related pleas, the Supreme Court had refused to defer the counselling/seat allotment process scheduled to commence on July 6. However, the bench had orally observed that the admissions would be subject to the final outcome of the petitions and if the exams were set aside, the counselling would get invalidated consequentially.

The Top Court had also expressed its concern over the alleged discrepancies in the NEET UG 2024 exam. The Court had noted that even '0.001& negligence' in conducting the NEET-UG 2024 exams would be looked into with all seriousness, considering the immense labor put in by the candidates for the prestigious examination.

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