Jaipur/Jhunjhunu/Kota: The cancellation of NEET-UG 2026 by the National Testing Agency after allegations of irregularities and a paper leak triggered waves of anger, anxiety, and uncertainty among students in Rajasthan Saturday. The highest impact was felt in coaching hubs like Sikar and Kota, where thousands of aspirants relocated from across India to prepare for the exam.In Sikar, students expressed disappointment over the cancellation, feeling that their rigorous preparation was rendered meaningless. A student from Muzaffarnagar, Bihar, who relocated to Sikar, said, “Despite preparing with great dedication, our hard work feels wasted. Strict action must be taken against those who cheated, as it is unjust to the honest students.”The emotional toll extends beyond the students, with many parents forced to take loans for their children’s aspirations of securing coveted spots in medical colleges. A private coaching operator from Sikar remarked, “Whoever is guilty in this paper leak must face the strictest possible action, and the police and govt must ensure that such incidents do not recur in the future.”The situation in Kota mirrors that of Sikar, with educators urging students to stay focused amid the turmoil. Nitin Vijay, founder of Motion Education, called for systemic reforms, including considering an online format for NEET to enhance transparency and security.Students in Kota also voiced their frustrations. Anshita Tanwar, an aspiring medical student from Indore, expressed her deep disappointment: “I performed extremely well in NEET-UG-2026 and expected sure selection, now I will have to work hard again for the re-NEET exam.” Similarly, Himansu Gautam of Bundi, making his second attempt at NEET, welcomed the decision despite the setback, asserting that those who cheated should not benefit at the expense of genuine candidates.In Jaipur, aspiring medical students underscored the hardships the cancellation brings to individuals from financially weaker backgrounds. Devesh Kumar from Chomu, preparing for his third NEET attempt, shared the burden of financial strain: “My family has already spent so much as I had to stay away from home and prepare … this year I was sure that my efforts would bear fruit, but now there is only uncertainty.”Another student, Vishal Kumar, voiced his dismay over the repeated paper leak incidents, stating, “This is the second time in three years that the NEET exam has been cancelled due to a leak. How can we trust the institutions conducting these exams?”The despair felt by students was echoed by parents, with Bharat Bhushan, an ABVP functionary, pointing out the devastating impact of paper leaks on families dependent on farming. He stressed the need for stringent measures to tackle what he described as an evolving organised crime. “Strict action must be taken against all those found guilty, and the laws pertaining to paper leaks must be made even more rigorous,” he asserted.
