Shillong, May 14: The Meghalaya government has described the cancellation of the NEET-UG 2026 examination nationwide as “disheartening” and “totally unfortunate,” urging the Centre to take firm action against those involved in the alleged question paper leak.

State Health and Family Welfare Minister Wailadmiki Shylla, speaking on behalf of the government, said it was deeply troubling that students from Meghalaya must endure the stress of retaking the exam. “On behalf of the state government, I am urging the Centre to do justice to the students. We would like to see that the central government should come up with something to assure the students and youth of our country,” he stated.

The NEET-UG 2026 was conducted on May 3 across 5,432 centres, with around 1.4 lakh candidates appearing. The exam was later cancelled following investigations into the alleged leak. The Central Bureau of Investigation has since arrested five individuals in connection with the case.

Meanwhile, the Hynñiewtrep Youths’ Council (HYC), a prominent pressure group in Meghalaya, has written to NTA Director General Abhishek Singh, requesting that the Northeast be exempted from any nationwide re-examination. The council argued that the region has maintained a clean record and highlighted the severe logistical challenges faced by tribal candidates.

The HYC emphasized that while safeguarding the integrity of national examinations is crucial, students from remote areas should not be unfairly penalized. “While the integrity of national examinations is paramount, the mental well-being and future prospects of hardworking students must also be safeguarded,” the council said in its appeal.