Srinagar, May 12 (KNS): Jammu & Kashmir Awami National Conference Senior Vice President Muzaffar Shah on Tuesday expressed deep anguish and strong condemnation over the reported cancellation of the NEET UG 2026 examination amid allegations of paper leaks and large-scale irregularities, terming it a “national tragedy” that has shattered the dreams of lakhs of aspiring students across the country.
In a statement issued here, Shah said the future of more than 22 lakh students now hangs in uncertainty due to what he described as a “complete collapse of the system responsible for ensuring transparency and fairness in one of India’s most prestigious examinations.”
He said the affected aspirants were not merely statistics but young students who had devoted years of hard work, sacrifice, and rigorous preparation with the hope of securing admission into medical colleges.
“Many students belong to economically weaker families whose parents invested everything they had in the dream of seeing their children become doctors. Today, that dream stands shattered because of administrative negligence and repeated failures in safeguarding the sanctity of the examination process,” Shah said.
He strongly criticised the Union Government and the National Testing Agency (NTA), accusing that repeated incidents of paper leaks and irregularities expose deep-rooted loopholes, lack of accountability, and the growing influence of “coaching mafias” in the examination system.
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He said despite repeated assurances about reforms and digital safeguards, authorities had once again failed to conduct a leak-proof examination, thereby eroding public trust in the country’s education and recruitment mechanisms.
Shah said the mental trauma faced by students and their families was immeasurable, with many aspirants reportedly battling severe anxiety, uncertainty, and emotional distress after months of preparation going in vain.
“We stand firmly with the students and their families in this difficult hour. The government must ensure a transparent and fair re-examination at the earliest while taking strict and exemplary action against all those involved in the leak and related irregularities,” he said.
Demanding immediate intervention, Shah called for a time-bound probe by the CBI or any central investigating agency with findings made public, accountability of officials responsible for the lapses, foolproof reforms to prevent recurrence of such scams, and counselling support for affected students.
“The youth of India deserve better. Their future cannot continue to be destroyed by corruption, leaks, and administrative failures. The government must treat this issue as a national emergency and restore faith in the education system without further delay,” Shah added. (KNS)