NEET paper leak: Resident doctors across India demand accountability, action, exam reforms

New Delhi: In support of the protesting students and aspirants, resident doctors across the country are demanding accountability for the NEET paper leak incidents. 

While several of them have released press statements, some have written letters to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The core demands of the associations remain the same, i.e. an independent and fair investigation into the paper leaks, legal action against the culprits, fixing accountability of the National Testing Agency along with other authorities and comprehensive reforms to strengthen security and transparency of national entrance examinations. 

The resident doctors' associations across the country have put these demands under the banner of Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA). 

The associations include King Edward Memorial Hospital, Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (KEM MARD), Resident Doctors' Associations of J.N Medical College and Hospital, Healthcare Reforms Doctors' Association, RDA R.G Kar Medical College & Hospital, Kolkata, RDA P.T BDS PGIMS and PGIDS Rohtak, Jaipur Association of Resident Doctors' SMS Medical College, RDA AIIMS Bhubaneswar, Association of State Medical Interns, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh Junior Doctors' Association (AP JUDA), JDA Madhya Pradesh, RDA GMC Rajouri, KPC Medical College Resident Doctors Welfare Association, JDA MGM Medical College, Resident Doctors' Welfare Society IMS, Association of Resident Doctors PGIMER, Udaipur Resident Doctors' Association RNT Medical College Udaipur.

Also read- NEET paper leak a 'grave sin'- PM Modi says Govt stands with students, promises strict action against culprits

"NEET UG is the gateway to the medical profession and every student deserves a fair, transparent and merit-based examination. Any compromise in this integrity is a grave injustice to honest aspirants and undermines public trust in India's education system," mentioned HRDA, Telangana. 

"Every year, lakhs of students dedicate years of relentless hard work, sacrifice, and perseverance with the belief that their future will be determined solely by merit… As resident doctors, we have ourselves traversed the demanding path of medical entrance examinations. We understand the emotional, financial, and psychological burden borne by students and their families. Their concerns deserve to be heard with empathy and addressed with sincerity," said the Resident Doctors' Association (RDA), Rohtak.

"Lakhs of students dedicate years of hard work to achieve their dream of becoming doctors. APJUDA appeals to the Hon'ble Prime Minister and the Government of India to take prompt and decisive steps to restore public confidence in the NEET examination system and uphold the sanctity of merit," AP JUDA said. 

"The alleged NEET examination paper leak has caused immense distress among lakhs of aspirants who dedicate years of hard work and sacrifice to compete fairly. Such incidents undermine the credibility of one of the country's most important entrance examinations and adversely affect the morale of deserving candidates," the associations said. 

The associations expressed disappointment that the Ministry of Education, under the leadership of the Hon'ble Union Education Minister Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, failed to ensure a secure and credible examination system despite repeated concerns. The associations also expressed concern regarding the handling of the peaceful democratic protest led by Sonam Wangchuk.

Regarding the alleged assault on doctors by police while providing treatment to injured at Jantar Mantar protest, JDA of MGM Medical College, Jamshedpur said, "We vehemently denounce the brutal use of force and violence directed at doctors and peaceful protestors during yesterday's gathering. The right to peaceful dissent is a democratic pillar. Assaulting medical professionals and students who are advocating for a fair education system is deeply reprehensible. We demand prompt medical assistance for all those injured and a strict, independent probe into this unprovoked aggression."

PM response

Yesterday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that the government will set up fast-track courts to ensure quick trials and strict punishment for the accused.

In a post on his official X handle, the Prime Minister said, "Nothing is more important than the welfare and future of our youth." He added that he has directed the concerned authorities and officials to take all necessary steps to establish fast-track courts for such cases.

Calling it an important step in the government's ongoing efforts to protect students' interests, Modi said, "Those who try to harm the future of our youth will not be spared."

Earlier, calling the NEET paper leak a "ghor paap" (grave sin), the Prime Minister said all those involved in the case had been arrested, and 13 accused were currently in custody.

NEET cancelled

The NEET UG 2026 exam was conducted on May 3 by the National Testing Agency and was held from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM in pen-and-paper mode. Over 22.7 lakh aspirants appeared for the examination this year. It took place across 551 cities in India and 14 cities abroad, covering over 5,400 centres.

However, on May 12, 2026, the NTA declared the examination held on May 3 cancelled and subsequently announced a re-examination on June 21, 2026.

This came in the backdrop of the probe by the Rajasthan Police Special Operations Group, which reportedly found a “guess paper” containing more than 100 questions similar to those asked in the NEET UG examination. The question paper series under scrutiny has been described as a “guess paper” which reportedly contained around 410 questions. Out of these, nearly 120 questions are alleged to have appeared in the Biology and Chemistry sections of the examination.

In the aftermath of the exam cancellation, protests were held, with aspirants and members of the medical fraternity condemning NTA and the Education Ministry for the failure.

Due to the alleged controversy, the central government decided to refer the matter to the Central Bureau of Investigation for a comprehensive inquiry into the allegations. Based on the Centre's direction, the CBI registered an FIR in the case and has so far arrested 13 people.

Also read- NEET row: PM Modi announces setting up fast-track courts to expedite paper leak trials