For over 22 lakh NEET UG aspirants, May 2026 was supposed to mark the end of a long preparation cycle. Instead, it triggered one of the biggest disruptions in the history of the medical entrance examination. Days after NEET UG 2026 was conducted on May 3, the examination was cancelled amid allegations of a large-scale paper leak and concerns over the integrity of the process. The Centre later on Friday announced that the re-examination would now be conducted on June 21 , even as investigations into the alleged NEET UG leak continue. The cancellation, unprecedented for many students and parents, has left aspirants balancing revision schedules, emotional exhaustion, uncertainty, and fresh preparations all over again. ‘A difficult restart’ While some students viewed the cancellation as necessary to protect fairness, many also described the decision as emotionally draining after years of preparation.…