Don't pay anyone! NTA warns against rumours, fake papers, scams ahead of NEET 2026 re-exam

New Delhi: The National Testing Agency (NTA) has urged parents and candidates not to fall for rumours, fake papers, or Telegram scams promising advanced question papers ahead of NEET UG 2026 re-examination on June 21.

In a social media post on X, Director General Abhishek Singh shared a video on June 16 discussing the fake paper-selling scams, manipulated Telegram chats, and rumours being spread around the NEET Re-Examination.

He explained that scammers on Telegram are running channels demanding money ranging from 14 thousand to 25 thousand rupees and even Rs 10 lakh with claims of sharing the re-exam paper.

He further clarified that there is no leaked paper for the re-exam. "The money is gone the moment you transfer it. Your admit card and WhatsApp number, if you sent them, become the tools they use to scam the next student," he said.

NTA also said that fake "proof" videos showing chats from before the exam are also being circulated. Singh said in the video that the trick on Telegram is that whoever runs a channel can edit any old message and change what's inside it, while the date on the message stays the same. So a message edited on the 4th can be made to look exactly like it was sent on the 1st.

"The same trick will be tried again after 21st June. Don't fall for it. Don't forward it. Don't pay anyone," the agency warned in the social media post.

The video explained how some Telegram channels are falsely claiming to sell NEET question papers, asking students for payments through UPI or cryptocurrency, and using fake screenshots or videos to mislead candidates.

However, NTA stressed that nobody outside the official system has access to the question paper. It said extensive security measures have been put in place for preparing, printing and transporting the exam papers, with support from government agencies and security forces.

"Anyone claiming to sell you any paper is lying, is trying to scam you, is trying to fool you, is trying to exploit your vulnerability," the agency said in the video. It added that no version of the question paper would be available outside the secure chain before 2 pm on June 21.

NTA advised students to focus on their exam preparation and not fall for fake claims. It urged candidates to rely only on information available on the official NTA website and verified NTA social media handles. The agency also asked students to inform their friends about such scams and report any suspicious activity to the National Cyber Crime Helpline (1930) or the Cyber Crime Portal.

"Your hard work is what will get you through this exam. Not a Telegram channel. We're on your side," the agency said.

Telegram Banned

Ahead of the NEET UG 2026 re-examination scheduled for June 21, Telegram has been temporarily banned in India in the wake of cheating rackets duping aspirants. The National Testing Agency (NTA) has welcomed the central government's decision to impose temporary restrictions on the Telegram platform.

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has directed that access to Telegram to be restricted in India until June 22, covering the examination day and its immediate aftermath.

In addition, Telegram has been instructed to disable its message-editing feature in India until June 30, addressing the specific structural feature through which the platform has been used to fabricate after-the-event “paper leak” evidence in respect of national examinations.

The measures have been taken in response to several Telegram channels that were allegedly being used by cheating rackets to spread false claims about leaked NEET question papers and to defraud students and their families.

This comes after recent arrest of two Rajasthan-based men by the Cyber Crime Cell which has exposed a large online fraud network that allegedly targeted students and parents with false promises of access to RE-NEET examination papers.

According to police, the duo allegedly operated nearly eight Telegram channels and used them to attract students by posting sensational claims about examination leaks and insider information. Victims were then asked to transfer money through online payment platforms in exchange for the promised material.

The investigators found that over 1,500 students or their kin were cheated of Rs 1.5 crore by the frausters. More arrests are likely in the case.

Telegram moves Delhi HC

Following the temporary ban, Telegram has moved the Delhi High Court challenging the centre's decision. The matter was mentioned urgently before a vacation bench, which agreed to hear the plea later in the day.

Telegram has argued that the restriction has impacted more than 150 million users across the country.

The Centre imposed the temporary block following a request from the National Testing Agency (NTA), which claimed that organised cheating networks were using the platform to circulate fake claims about leaked question papers and defraud NEET aspirants.

While Telegram founder Pavel Durov said the platform had already removed hundreds of suspicious channels and termed the restriction disproportionate, the NTA has maintained that the measure is necessary to ensure a fair and secure conduct of the June 21 re-examination.

According to lawyers appearing in the case, the temporary restriction has affected more than 150 million Telegram users across India.

NEET cancelled

The NEET UG 2026 examination was conducted on May 3 by the National Testing Agency 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 blaming 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 2026 re-exam row: Telegram moves Delhi HC against temporary ban in India