NEET Cancellation Rekindles Anxiety, Reform Demands

Hyderabad: For many medical aspirants in Telangana, the cancellation of NEET‑UG 2026 reopened painful memories of uncertainty, anxiety and repeated preparation cycles that have already consumed years of their lives. Students divided over online exams say repeated cancellations are mentally exhausting.

Students who previously faced the 2024 controversy said the emotional toll of repeated disruptions goes beyond academics, affecting confidence, mental health and family life.

“The pain cannot be explained. During my previous attempt, the exam got cancelled at the last moment. I belonged to the Covid‑19 batch and most of our classes were online, which already affected our preparation. Later, it took me two years to finally clear the examination because becoming a doctor was always my ambition,” said Vishwa CH, an MBBS student.

He said two of his cousins who appeared for NEET this year are now under severe stress after checking their estimated scores through the answer key.

“They were happy initially because the 2026 paper was comparatively easier. Now they are crying at home, worried about preparing all over again. They fear that the next paper may become tougher,” he added.

Many aspirants said the biggest concern is the limited time given between cancellation and re‑examination, leaving students mentally drained.

“The hard work and pressure are already huge. On top of that, repeated postponements and cancellations make students emotionally exhausted. Usually the re‑exam comes within one or two months, which increases stress further,” aspirants said.

The controversy has also revived debate over whether NEET should shift completely to an online format to reduce paper leak risks.

However, MBBS students expressed mixed opinions on digital examinations. Sai Kiran, a third‑year MBBS student from Government Medical College, Sircilla, said online exams could create additional challenges for aspirants.

“There will be more peripheral questions in digital exams. Online mode requires multiple sets of question papers, which makes preparation tougher. Solving 180 questions from one standard textbook is easier than preparing for hundreds of varied questions from the same syllabus,” he explained.

Another third‑year MBBS student, Jaya Chandra, felt online examinations could help improve security despite technical challenges.

“Problem‑solving is easier in the current pattern. But repeated security lapses can possibly be reduced if the examination becomes digital,” he said.

Santosh, a first‑year MBBS student from Government Medical College, Sircilla, recalled how aspirants have faced uncertainty continuously over the last few years.

“We faced the leak issue in 2024, and in 2025 the paper became extremely tough. Now again students are suffering because of cancellation. JEE Mains is conducted digitally. If NTA adopts strict digital regulations for NEET too, it may save many students from repeated stress and uncertainty,” he said.

Adding to the chorus of reform, Sai Lakshmi, core dean of Narayana Educational Institutions, said: “Irregularities keep happening in NEET, including incidents where question papers are distributed late at certain centres. This type of issue is repeating every year, but who takes responsibility? The conduct of examinations should be moved away from the current system. We have been suggesting a shift to digital mode, but we do not know why there is hesitation. It is safer and more secure. If NTA cannot implement reforms, it should step away from its examination duties.”

Students said beyond marks and rankings, repeated disruptions are slowly affecting the confidence of young aspirants who spend years preparing for one examination with hopes of entering the medical profession.