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Rachel V Thomas

NEET-UG 2026 Cancelled: Experts Warn Of Panic, Emotional Distress Among Students

The <span>National Testing Agency</span> (<span>NTA</span>), which today cancelled the <span>NEET-UG</span> 2026 examination held on May 3 amid allegations of a paper leak, has left thousands of students across the country anxious, frustrated, and emotionally overwhelmed, triggering protests and outrage among students and parents. 

According to mental health experts, such uncertainty can deeply affect students who have spent months preparing for the examination, often sacrificing sleep, proper meals, and their social lives. The sudden cancellation of the exam can therefore leave them feeling helpless, uncertain, and emotionally exhausted.

Experts stressed that this setback should not be seen as a personal failure and urged students to remain calm. 

Speaking to <strong><em>HealthandMe</em></strong>, Dr. Aarti Anand, Senior Consultant Clinical Psychologist at the Department of Psychiatry, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, said feelings of anger, helplessness, disappointment, and anxiety are natural during such situations, especially when the future appears uncertain.

“It is very natural to feel anxious and helpless at this point, but remember that you are not alone in this situation. Thousands of students are going to be affected,” she said. 

She also emphasized that students should not assume that their hard work has gone to waste. 

<h2>NEET-UG 2026: What Is The Controversy All About? </h2>

The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET-UG) is India’s primary national-level entrance examination conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) for admission to undergraduate medical (MBBS), dental (BDS), and AYUSH courses in government and private institutions.

The single, standardized offline test for this year was conducted on May 3 for over 22.79 lakh candidates across India and abroad. 

“The examination on 3 May 2026 was conducted as scheduled and under a full security protocol,” the NTA said.

However, according to information shared by Rajasthan Police officials, alleged malpractice came to light after certain question sets circulated before the examination reportedly showed similarities with the actual NEET-UG paper. 

<strong>Also read: </strong><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/fact-check-can-ivermectin-help-treat-hantavirus-article-154297881" data-type="tilCustomLink">Fact Check: Can Ivermectin Help Treat Hantavirus?</a>

Officials probing the matter stated that they recovered a document containing more than 400 questions that had allegedly been circulated days before the exam. Out of these, more than 100 questions from Biology and Chemistry were said to bear “striking similarities” to those that eventually appeared in the examination. 

Authorities have described the material as resembling a “guess paper” or coaching-style test series, though investigators have not ruled out the possibility of a larger organized network. 

The government has now ordered a comprehensive Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the alleged irregularities surrounding the examination.

The NTA has also announced that the medical entrance test will be conducted again on fresh dates to be notified separately, a development that many students feel undermines the time and effort they invested in preparation. 

<h2>NEET-UG 2026 Cancelled: What Effect Can This Have On Students? </h2>

Dr. Manisha Arora, Director - Internal Medicine at the CK Birla Hospital, Delhi, told <strong><em>HealthandMe </em></strong>that students can experience palpitations, migraines, insomnia, and constant worry about their rank and future.

“Postponement can feel like an identity suspension. Students start thinking, ‘What if I do not get the same marks next time? What if I have forgotten everything? What if the exam is harder? What if questions come from outside the syllabus?” 

“These thoughts are very common. Students can also develop headaches, dizziness, stomach pain, nausea, diarrhea, insomnia, racing heartbeat, panic attacks, binge eating, or even loss of appetite,” Dr. Manisha said, warning parents and guardians to pay close attention to students’ mental well-being. 

<h2>NEET-UG 2026 Cancelled: How Can Students Cope With The Stress? </h2>

<strong>Read More: </strong><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/why-the-norovirus-outbreak-on-a-caribbean-cruise-ship-is-not-a-cause-for-panic-article-154293052" data-type="tilCustomLink">Why The Norovirus Outbreak On A Caribbean Cruise Ship Is Not A Cause for Panic</a>

“One important thing for students to understand is that the knowledge they have gained will not go to waste. They will be able to appear for the exam on the next date,” Dr. Aarti said. 

She added that students must acknowledge their emotions instead of suppressing them. 

“Students should acknowledge their feelings instead of suppressing them. They should use this pause as a way of structuring their life and moving ahead. They should focus on self-care, sleep, food, and hygiene instead of watching media discussions,” she said. 

Mental health professionals also advised students to avoid excessive speculation and negative thinking about future examinations. Instead, they recommended maintaining routines, staying connected with family and friends, and continuing preparation steadily. 

“I urge all students not to think negatively, overthink, or fuss about what will happen in the next exam. It is very important for students to keep calm and continue their preparation,” she said.

Dr. Aarti further noted that such moments can become a test of emotional strength and resilience for students navigating academic pressure. 

“Students should not feel that the cancellation is a failure. It is not a failure,” she added. 

Dr. Manisha urged students to build on the preparation they have already done, gradually remove exam fear from their minds, restart calmly, and prepare themselves to appear for the exam again.

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The National Testing Agency (NTA), which today cancelled the NEET-UG 2026 examination held on May 3 amid allegations of a paper leak, has left thousands of students across the country anxious, frustrated, and emotionally overwhelmed, triggering protests and outrage among students and parents. According to mental health experts, such uncertainty can deeply affect students who have spent months preparing for the examination, often sacrificing sleep, proper meals, and their social lives. The sudden cancellation of the exam can therefore leave them feeling helpless, uncertain, and emotionally exhausted. Experts stressed that this setback should not be seen as a personal failure and urged students to remain calm. Speaking to HealthandMe, Dr. Aarti Anand, Senior Consultant Clinical Psychologist at the Department of Psychiatry, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, said feelings of anger, helplessness, disappointment, and anxiety are natural during such situations, especially when the future appears uncertain. “It is very natural to feel anxious and helpless at this point, but remember that you are not alone in this situation. Thousands of students are going to be affected,” she said. She also emphasized that students should not assume that their hard work has gone to waste. NEET-UG 2026: What Is The Controversy All About? The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET-UG) is India’s primary national-level entrance examination conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) for admission to undergraduate medical (MBBS), dental (BDS), and AYUSH courses in government and private institutions. The single, standardized offline test for this year was conducted on May 3 for over 22.79 lakh candidates across India and abroad. “The examination on 3 May 2026 was conducted as scheduled and under a full security protocol,” the NTA said. However, according to information shared by Rajasthan Police officials, alleged malpractice came to light after certain question sets circulated before the examination reportedly showed similarities with the actual NEET-UG paper. Also read: Fact Check: Can Ivermectin Help Treat Hantavirus?Officials probing the matter stated that they recovered a document containing more than 400 questions that had allegedly been circulated days before the exam. Out of these, more than 100 questions from Biology and Chemistry were said to bear “striking similarities” to those that eventually appeared in the examination. Authorities have described the material as resembling a “guess paper” or coaching-style test series, though investigators have not ruled out the possibility of a larger organized network. The government has now ordered a comprehensive Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the alleged irregularities surrounding the examination. The NTA has also announced that the medical entrance test will be conducted again on fresh dates to be notified separately, a development that many students feel undermines the time and effort they invested in preparation. NEET-UG 2026 Cancelled: What Effect Can This Have On Students? Dr. Manisha Arora, Director - Internal Medicine at the CK Birla Hospital, Delhi, told HealthandMe that students can experience palpitations, migraines, insomnia, and constant worry about their rank and future. “Postponement can feel like an identity suspension. Students start thinking, ‘What if I do not get the same marks next time? What if I have forgotten everything? What if the exam is harder? What if questions come from outside the syllabus?” “These thoughts are very common. Students can also develop headaches, dizziness, stomach pain, nausea, diarrhea, insomnia, racing heartbeat, panic attacks, binge eating, or even loss of appetite,” Dr. Manisha said, warning parents and guardians to pay close attention to students’ mental well-being. NEET-UG 2026 Cancelled: How Can Students Cope With The Stress? Read More: Why The Norovirus Outbreak On A Caribbean Cruise Ship Is Not A Cause for Panic“One important thing for students to understand is that the knowledge they have gained will not go to waste. They will be able to appear for the exam on the next date,” Dr. Aarti said. She added that students must acknowledge their emotions instead of suppressing them. “Students should acknowledge their feelings instead of suppressing them. They should use this pause as a way of structuring their life and moving ahead. They should focus on self-care, sleep, food, and hygiene instead of watching media discussions,” she said. Mental health professionals also advised students to avoid excessive speculation and negative thinking about future examinations. Instead, they recommended maintaining routines, staying connected with family and friends, and continuing preparation steadily. “I urge all students not to think negatively, overthink, or fuss about what will happen in the next exam. It is very important for students to keep calm and continue their preparation,” she said. Dr. Aarti further noted that such moments can become a test of emotional strength and resilience for students navigating academic pressure. “Students should not feel that the cancellation is a failure. It is not a failure,” she added. Dr. Manisha urged students to build on the preparation they have already done, gradually remove exam fear from their minds, restart calmly, and prepare themselves to appear for the exam again.

neet-ug 2026 cancelled: experts warn of panic, emotional distress among students

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