Bhubaneswar, May 12: Former Odisha Chief Minister and BJD president Naveen Patnaik has strongly criticized the Central government following the cancellation of the NEET UG 2026 exam amid reports of a paper leak. He described the incident as a “serious blow” to students who appeared for the examination.

Patnaik emphasized that this is not merely a procedural lapse but a betrayal of the aspirations of lakhs of students who prepared with discipline, sacrificed comforts, and spent sleepless nights in rigorous study.

Highlighting the recurring nature of such incidents, he noted, “This is not the first time NEET papers have been leaked. Such breaches erode public trust, heighten anxiety, and threaten the careers of hardworking students who rely on fairness.” He warned that compromising the integrity of examinations risks the future of India’s youth.

In a statement on social media platform X, Patnaik wrote:

“The cancellation of #NEET UG 2026 following reports of a paper leak is a severe blow to the sacred trust students repose in our examination system. When the sanctity of examinations is compromised, it is not just a lapse—it is a betrayal of lakhs of aspirants who studied with discipline, sacrificed comforts, and devoted sleepless nights to their preparation. This is not the first time #NEET papers have been leaked. The leaks deepen cynicism, heighten anxiety, and jeopardize the careers of hardworking students who expect fairness. As a nation, we cannot gamble with the destiny of our youth—the future of India. The time has come to reestablish integrity in the examination process. Accountability must be swiftly fixed to restore students’ trust. The system must reassure every student that their sweat and perseverance will never be undermined again by lapses.”