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The Hindu Editorial • May 14, 2026 • Read Original

Testing troubles: On the National Testing Agency, NEET-UG 2026

Leaks and breaches have destroyed the National Testing Agency’s credibility

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The Hindu Read Original
12 min read

Analysis of editorial from The Hindu newspaper on May 14, 2026

Testing troubles: On the National Testing Agency, NEET-UG 2026

Leaks and breaches have destroyed the National Testing Agency’s credibility

National Testing AgencyNEET-UG 2026Paper LeakCBI InquiryMedical Entrance ExamsEducational Reforms
Sentences
Sentence 1 of 16
English Original

Once bitten, twice shy: this saying surely does not apply to the National Testing Agency (NTA).

Simple Present Adjunct + S + Adjunct + V + Adjunct Main Clause Simple Sentence
Phrase Breakdown
Adjunct Additional info
Once bitten, twice shy
A common proverb meaning that if you have had a bad experience, you will be more careful in the future
Subject Who/What
this saying
The specific proverb mentioned just before
Adjunct Additional info
surely
With certainty or without any doubt
Verb What is happening
does not apply
Is not relevant or does not fit the situation of a particular person or group
Adjunct Additional info
to the National Testing Agency (NTA)
The specific government body in India that conducts entrance exams
Context and Background
National Testing Agency (NTA)

The NTA was established in 2017 to conduct entrance exams for higher education in India. Its goal was to bring transparency and efficiency, but it has recently come under fire for multiple exam leaks and mismanagement.

Sentence 2 of 16
English Original

Given the number of times that the Agency has run into trouble in the conduct of common entrance exams, it would have been logical to expect those at the helm to have learnt their lessons.

Past Conditional Adjunct + S + V + C + Adjunct Main Clause Complex Sentence
Phrase Breakdown
Adjunct Additional info
Given the number of times that the Agency has run into trouble in the conduct of common entrance exams
Considering how many times the NTA has faced problems while organizing national-level exams
Subject Who/What
it
A placeholder word used to start the sentence
Verb What is happening
would have been
Expresses something that was expected to be true in the past
Complement Completes meaning
logical
Reasonable or making sense based on the facts
Adjunct Additional info
to expect those at the helm to have learnt their lessons
To hope that the leaders in charge of the agency would have improved after their past mistakes
Sentence 3 of 16
English Original

However, this week’s cancellation of the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET)-UG affecting over 22 lakh students is a serious blow to the agency’s reputation.

Simple Present Adjunct + S + V + C Main Clause Simple Sentence
Phrase Breakdown
Adjunct Additional info
However
Used to introduce a statement that contrasts with or complicates what was just said
Subject Who/What
this week’s cancellation of the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET)-UG affecting over 22 lakh students
The decision made this week to stop the national medical entrance exam, which has impacted a huge number of students
Verb What is happening
is
Represents the current state or reality
Complement Completes meaning
a serious blow to the agency’s reputation
An event that causes significant damage to how people trust and view the NTA
Context and Background
Scale of NEET-UG 2026

With over 22 lakh (2.2 million) candidates, NEET-UG is one of the largest competitive exams in the world. A cancellation at this scale causes massive anxiety for students and logistics challenges for the government.

Sentence 4 of 16
English Original

The NTA, on May 12, 2026, announced the cancellation of the exam held on May 3, amid allegations of paper leak, as the government tasked the CBI with carrying out a comprehensive inquiry.

Simple Past S + Adjunct + V + O + Adjunct + Adjunct Main Clause + Subordinate Clause Complex Sentence
Phrase Breakdown
Subject Who/What
The NTA
The National Testing Agency, which is the organization being discussed
Adjunct Additional info
on May 12, 2026
The specific date when the announcement was made
Verb What is happening
announced
Made a formal public statement about something
Object What receives action
the cancellation of the exam held on May 3
The decision to stop the validity of the test that was already completed ten days earlier
Adjunct Additional info
amid allegations of paper leak
Happening while there were serious claims that the exam questions were shared illegally before the test
Adjunct Additional info
as the government tasked the CBI with carrying out a comprehensive inquiry
At the same time as the central government asked India’s top investigative agency to do a full investigation
Context and Background
CBI and High-Profile Investigations

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is often called in for cases that have national implications or involve multiple states. Handing the NEET case to the CBI indicates that the government views the leak as a serious criminal conspiracy.

Sentence 5 of 16
English Original

The decision followed investigations revealing that a ‘guess paper’ — a collection of predicted, high-importance questions created to help students prepare — matched numerous questions in chemistry and biology.

Simple Past S + V + O + Adjunct Main Clause Complex Sentence
Phrase Breakdown
Subject Who/What
The decision
The official move to cancel the NEET-UG exam
Verb What is happening
followed
Happened after something else had already occurred
Object What receives action
investigations
Formal examinations of the facts to find the truth about the leak
Adjunct Additional info
revealing that a ‘guess paper’ — a collection of predicted, high-importance questions created to help students prepare — matched numerous questions in chemistry and biology
Showing that a set of practice questions, meant to help students study, was exactly the same as many real questions in the science sections
Sentence 6 of 16
English Original

Media reports said that this material had reached coaching hubs in Rajasthan nearly a month ahead, and had been sold to aspirants for huge sums.

Simple Past + Past Perfect S + V + O Main Clause + Noun Clause Complex Sentence
Phrase Breakdown
Subject Who/What
Media reports
Information provided by news channels, newspapers, or journalists
Verb What is happening
said
Stated or reported specific information
Object What receives action
that this material had reached coaching hubs in Rajasthan nearly a month ahead, and had been sold to aspirants for huge sums
The leaked paper arrived at coaching centers in Rajasthan long before the exam and was purchased by students for a lot of money
Context and Background
Rajasthan

Rajasthan, particularly the city of Kota, is the hub for medical and engineering coaching in India. Every year, lakhs of students flock there, creating a massive, high-stakes market that unfortunately attracts criminal elements involved in exam paper leaks.

Sentence 7 of 16
English Original

This led to investigations by the Rajasthan Police Special Operations Group and 15 people were arrested.

Simple Past S + V + Adjunct + S + V Independent Clauses Compound Sentence
Phrase Breakdown
Subject Who/What
This
The situation regarding the leaked material reaching coaching hubs
Verb What is happening
led
Caused or resulted in a particular action
Adjunct Additional info
to investigations by the Rajasthan Police Special Operations Group
The start of formal checks by a specialized team of the Rajasthan police
Subject Who/What
and 15 people
The number of individuals involved in the crime who were caught
Verb What is happening
were arrested
Were taken into custody by the police for being suspected of a crime
Context and Background
Rajasthan SOG

The Special Operations Group (SOG) of the Rajasthan Police is an elite unit that investigates organized crimes like paper leaks, which have become common in the state over the last few years.

Sentence 8 of 16
English Original

In the face of such obvious fraud, the NTA maintained the line that the decision to cancel the exam was taken “in the interest of students and in recognition of the trust on which the national examination system rests”.

Simple Past Adjunct + S + V + O Main Clause + Subordinate Clause Complex Sentence
Phrase Breakdown
Adjunct Additional info
In the face of such obvious fraud
Even though it was very clear that a major crime had been committed
Subject Who/What
the NTA
The government agency responsible for the exams
Verb What is happening
maintained
Kept saying or holding the same position or story
Object What receives action
the line that the decision to cancel the exam was taken “in the interest of students and in recognition of the trust on which the national examination system rests”
The official statement that they canceled the test only to help students and because they want people to trust the country’s exam system
Sentence 9 of 16
English Original

The question though, is: does the NTA still enjoy that trust?

Simple Present S + Adjunct + V + C Main Clause + Interrogative Clause Complex Sentence
Phrase Breakdown
Subject Who/What
The question
The main point of doubt or discussion that follows
Adjunct Additional info
though
Used here to mean ‘however’, introducing a point that challenges the NTA’s claim
Verb What is happening
is
Connects the subject to the specific question being asked
Complement Completes meaning
does the NTA still enjoy that trust?
Does the public and the students still believe that the NTA can conduct fair and honest exams?
Sentence 10 of 16
English Original

NEET has been dogged by controversy right from the start, with several States opposing the format.

Present Perfect Passive S + V + Adjunct + Adjunct + Adjunct Main Clause Simple Sentence
Phrase Breakdown
Subject Who/What
NEET
The national-level medical entrance examination in India
Verb What is happening
has been dogged
Has been persistently followed or troubled by something negative
Adjunct Additional info
by controversy
By public disagreement and heated discussion
Adjunct Additional info
right from the start
From the very beginning of when the exam was introduced
Adjunct Additional info
with several States opposing the format
Including the fact that many state governments did not like how the exam was organized
Context and Background
State Opposition to NEET

States like Tamil Nadu have strongly opposed NEET, arguing that it bypasses the state’s education system and disadvantages rural students who cannot afford expensive private coaching hubs like Kota.

Sentence 11 of 16
English Original

But even after it was rolled out across the country, the NTA, as the agency conducting the exam, has suffered several dents to its credibility, with various charges and controversies coming up with depressing regularity.

Present Perfect Adjunct + S + V + O + Adjunct Main Clause + Subordinate Clause Complex Sentence
Phrase Breakdown
Adjunct Additional info
But even after it was rolled out across the country
Even after the NEET exam was started in all states of India
Subject Who/What
the NTA, as the agency conducting the exam
The National Testing Agency, which has the specific job of managing the test
Verb What is happening
has suffered
Has experienced something bad or unpleasant
Object What receives action
several dents to its credibility
Many incidents that have reduced people’s trust in the agency
Adjunct Additional info
with various charges and controversies coming up with depressing regularity
Because different accusations and public arguments are happening very frequently, which is discouraging
Sentence 12 of 16
English Original

This includes the 2019 impersonation scam in Tamil Nadu where students used proxies to write the exam; the 2022 controversy of frisking girl examinees in Kerala, and the 2024 paper leak and grace marks controversy.

Simple Present S + V + O Main Clause Simple Sentence
Phrase Breakdown
Subject Who/What
This
The series of problems and controversies faced by the NTA
Verb What is happening
includes
Consists of or contains the following examples
Object What receives action
the 2019 impersonation scam in Tamil Nadu where students used proxies to write the exam; the 2022 controversy of frisking girl examinees in Kerala, and the 2024 paper leak and grace marks controversy
Specific past failures: people pretending to be students in 2019, insensitive body searches in 2022, and the huge marks and leak scandal in 2024
Context and Background
NEET

Since its rollout, NEET has faced diverse issues: from the 2019 Tamil Nadu impersonation racket where multiple arrests were made, to the 2022 Kerala incident that raised human rights concerns, and the 2024 crisis involving massive score inflations and leak allegations.

Sentence 13 of 16
English Original

The K. Radhakrishnan committee, which was constituted to recommend reforms in the examination process, recommended a restructuring of the NTA, and creating strong institutional linkages with State and district authorities in order to produce a secure test administration apparatus.

Simple Past S + V + O + Adjunct Main Clause + Relative Clause Complex Sentence
Phrase Breakdown
Subject Who/What
The K. Radhakrishnan committee, which was constituted to recommend reforms in the examination process
A special group of experts led by K. Radhakrishnan, formed to suggest better ways of holding exams
Verb What is happening
recommended
Suggested that something should be done
Object What receives action
a restructuring of the NTA, and creating strong institutional linkages with State and district authorities
Changing how the NTA is organized and making sure it works closely with local and state governments
Adjunct Additional info
in order to produce a secure test administration apparatus
So that they can create a system for managing exams that is safe from cheating and leaks
Context and Background
K. Radhakrishnan Committee

Headed by former ISRO Chairman K. Radhakrishnan, this high-level committee was formed by the Ministry of Education in June 2024. Its mandate was to review NTA’s functioning, suggest data security protocols, and improve the examination process following the massive NEET-UG 2024 controversy.

Sentence 14 of 16
English Original

The recurring scams and controversies suggest that such fundamental changes have not taken place yet.

Simple Present + Present Perfect S + V + O Main Clause + Noun Clause Complex Sentence
Phrase Breakdown
Subject Who/What
The recurring scams and controversies
The illegal activities and public arguments that keep happening over and over again
Verb What is happening
suggest
Indicate or show something to be likely or true
Object What receives action
that such fundamental changes have not taken place yet
That the very important and basic improvements have not happened so far
Sentence 15 of 16
English Original

Ensuring the integrity of a national exam such as NEET is non-negotiable, given the high stakes and the millions of futures involved.

Simple Present S + V + C + Adjunct Main Clause Simple Sentence
Phrase Breakdown
Subject Who/What
Ensuring the integrity of a national exam such as NEET
Making certain that a country-wide test like NEET is fair and honest
Verb What is happening
is
States the reality or the status of the situation
Complement Completes meaning
non-negotiable
Something that is absolutely necessary and cannot be changed or discussed
Adjunct Additional info
given the high stakes and the millions of futures involved
Because the results are extremely important and affect the lives of millions of students
Sentence 16 of 16
English Original

Only a complete and credible revamp of the system can start the process of rebuilding the trust of aspirants and parents.

Modal Present S + V + O Main Clause Simple Sentence
Phrase Breakdown
Subject Who/What
Only a complete and credible revamp of the system
Just a total and believable improvement of how things are done
Verb What is happening
can start
Has the ability to begin something
Object What receives action
the process of rebuilding the trust of aspirants and parents
The steps taken to make students and their families believe in the system once again
Sentence 1 of 16
Sentence 1 of 16
Once bitten, twice shy: this saying surely does not apply to the National Testing Agency (NTA).
Phrase Breakdown
Adjunct
Once bitten, twice shy
A common proverb meaning that if you have had a bad experience, you will be more careful in the future
Subject
this saying
The specific proverb mentioned just before
Adjunct
surely
With certainty or without any doubt
Verb
does not apply
Is not relevant or does not fit the situation of a particular person or group
Adjunct
to the National Testing Agency (NTA)
The specific government body in India that conducts entrance exams
Sentence 2 of 16
Given the number of times that the Agency has run into trouble in the conduct of common entrance exams, it would have been logical to expect those at the helm to have learnt their lessons.
Phrase Breakdown
Adjunct
Given the number of times that the Agency has run into trouble in the conduct of common entrance exams
Considering how many times the NTA has faced problems while organizing national-level exams
Subject
it
A placeholder word used to start the sentence
Verb
would have been
Expresses something that was expected to be true in the past
Complement
logical
Reasonable or making sense based on the facts
Adjunct
to expect those at the helm to have learnt their lessons
To hope that the leaders in charge of the agency would have improved after their past mistakes
Sentence 3 of 16
However, this week’s cancellation of the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET)-UG affecting over 22 lakh students is a serious blow to the agency’s reputation.
Phrase Breakdown
Adjunct
However
Used to introduce a statement that contrasts with or complicates what was just said
Subject
this week’s cancellation of the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET)-UG affecting over 22 lakh students
The decision made this week to stop the national medical entrance exam, which has impacted a huge number of students
Verb
is
Represents the current state or reality
Complement
a serious blow to the agency’s reputation
An event that causes significant damage to how people trust and view the NTA
Sentence 4 of 16
The NTA, on May 12, 2026, announced the cancellation of the exam held on May 3, amid allegations of paper leak, as the government tasked the CBI with carrying out a comprehensive inquiry.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
The NTA
The National Testing Agency, which is the organization being discussed
Adjunct
on May 12, 2026
The specific date when the announcement was made
Verb
announced
Made a formal public statement about something
Object
the cancellation of the exam held on May 3
The decision to stop the validity of the test that was already completed ten days earlier
Adjunct
amid allegations of paper leak
Happening while there were serious claims that the exam questions were shared illegally before the test
Adjunct
as the government tasked the CBI with carrying out a comprehensive inquiry
At the same time as the central government asked India’s top investigative agency to do a full investigation
Sentence 5 of 16
The decision followed investigations revealing that a ‘guess paper’ — a collection of predicted, high-importance questions created to help students prepare — matched numerous questions in chemistry and biology.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
The decision
The official move to cancel the NEET-UG exam
Verb
followed
Happened after something else had already occurred
Object
investigations
Formal examinations of the facts to find the truth about the leak
Adjunct
revealing that a ‘guess paper’ — a collection of predicted, high-importance questions created to help students prepare — matched numerous questions in chemistry and biology
Showing that a set of practice questions, meant to help students study, was exactly the same as many real questions in the science sections
Sentence 6 of 16
Media reports said that this material had reached coaching hubs in Rajasthan nearly a month ahead, and had been sold to aspirants for huge sums.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
Media reports
Information provided by news channels, newspapers, or journalists
Verb
said
Stated or reported specific information
Object
that this material had reached coaching hubs in Rajasthan nearly a month ahead, and had been sold to aspirants for huge sums
The leaked paper arrived at coaching centers in Rajasthan long before the exam and was purchased by students for a lot of money
Sentence 7 of 16
This led to investigations by the Rajasthan Police Special Operations Group and 15 people were arrested.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
This
The situation regarding the leaked material reaching coaching hubs
Verb
led
Caused or resulted in a particular action
Adjunct
to investigations by the Rajasthan Police Special Operations Group
The start of formal checks by a specialized team of the Rajasthan police
Subject
and 15 people
The number of individuals involved in the crime who were caught
Verb
were arrested
Were taken into custody by the police for being suspected of a crime
Sentence 8 of 16
In the face of such obvious fraud, the NTA maintained the line that the decision to cancel the exam was taken “in the interest of students and in recognition of the trust on which the national examination system rests”.
Phrase Breakdown
Adjunct
In the face of such obvious fraud
Even though it was very clear that a major crime had been committed
Subject
the NTA
The government agency responsible for the exams
Verb
maintained
Kept saying or holding the same position or story
Object
the line that the decision to cancel the exam was taken “in the interest of students and in recognition of the trust on which the national examination system rests”
The official statement that they canceled the test only to help students and because they want people to trust the country’s exam system
Sentence 9 of 16
The question though, is: does the NTA still enjoy that trust?
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
The question
The main point of doubt or discussion that follows
Adjunct
though
Used here to mean ‘however’, introducing a point that challenges the NTA’s claim
Verb
is
Connects the subject to the specific question being asked
Complement
does the NTA still enjoy that trust?
Does the public and the students still believe that the NTA can conduct fair and honest exams?
Sentence 10 of 16
NEET has been dogged by controversy right from the start, with several States opposing the format.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
NEET
The national-level medical entrance examination in India
Verb
has been dogged
Has been persistently followed or troubled by something negative
Adjunct
by controversy
By public disagreement and heated discussion
Adjunct
right from the start
From the very beginning of when the exam was introduced
Adjunct
with several States opposing the format
Including the fact that many state governments did not like how the exam was organized
Sentence 11 of 16
But even after it was rolled out across the country, the NTA, as the agency conducting the exam, has suffered several dents to its credibility, with various charges and controversies coming up with depressing regularity.
Phrase Breakdown
Adjunct
But even after it was rolled out across the country
Even after the NEET exam was started in all states of India
Subject
the NTA, as the agency conducting the exam
The National Testing Agency, which has the specific job of managing the test
Verb
has suffered
Has experienced something bad or unpleasant
Object
several dents to its credibility
Many incidents that have reduced people’s trust in the agency
Adjunct
with various charges and controversies coming up with depressing regularity
Because different accusations and public arguments are happening very frequently, which is discouraging
Sentence 12 of 16
This includes the 2019 impersonation scam in Tamil Nadu where students used proxies to write the exam; the 2022 controversy of frisking girl examinees in Kerala, and the 2024 paper leak and grace marks controversy.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
This
The series of problems and controversies faced by the NTA
Verb
includes
Consists of or contains the following examples
Object
the 2019 impersonation scam in Tamil Nadu where students used proxies to write the exam; the 2022 controversy of frisking girl examinees in Kerala, and the 2024 paper leak and grace marks controversy
Specific past failures: people pretending to be students in 2019, insensitive body searches in 2022, and the huge marks and leak scandal in 2024
Sentence 13 of 16
The K. Radhakrishnan committee, which was constituted to recommend reforms in the examination process, recommended a restructuring of the NTA, and creating strong institutional linkages with State and district authorities in order to produce a secure test administration apparatus.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
The K. Radhakrishnan committee, which was constituted to recommend reforms in the examination process
A special group of experts led by K. Radhakrishnan, formed to suggest better ways of holding exams
Verb
recommended
Suggested that something should be done
Object
a restructuring of the NTA, and creating strong institutional linkages with State and district authorities
Changing how the NTA is organized and making sure it works closely with local and state governments
Adjunct
in order to produce a secure test administration apparatus
So that they can create a system for managing exams that is safe from cheating and leaks
Sentence 14 of 16
The recurring scams and controversies suggest that such fundamental changes have not taken place yet.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
The recurring scams and controversies
The illegal activities and public arguments that keep happening over and over again
Verb
suggest
Indicate or show something to be likely or true
Object
that such fundamental changes have not taken place yet
That the very important and basic improvements have not happened so far
Sentence 15 of 16
Ensuring the integrity of a national exam such as NEET is non-negotiable, given the high stakes and the millions of futures involved.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
Ensuring the integrity of a national exam such as NEET
Making certain that a country-wide test like NEET is fair and honest
Verb
is
States the reality or the status of the situation
Complement
non-negotiable
Something that is absolutely necessary and cannot be changed or discussed
Adjunct
given the high stakes and the millions of futures involved
Because the results are extremely important and affect the lives of millions of students
Sentence 16 of 16
Only a complete and credible revamp of the system can start the process of rebuilding the trust of aspirants and parents.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
Only a complete and credible revamp of the system
Just a total and believable improvement of how things are done
Verb
can start
Has the ability to begin something
Object
the process of rebuilding the trust of aspirants and parents
The steps taken to make students and their families believe in the system once again

Reading Comprehension

Practice questions based on this editorial

Reading Comprehension - NTA NEET Credibility Crisis

Practice reading comprehension questions based on the editorial about the National Testing Agency and NEET-UG 2026 controversies.

5 Questions Passing: 70%

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