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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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

Simple Present Adjunct + S + Adjunct + V + Adjunct

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

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

Once bitten, twice shy

A common proverb meaning that if you have had a bad experience, you will be more careful in the future

Part 2

this saying

The specific proverb mentioned just before

Part 3

surely

With certainty or without any doubt

Part 4

does not apply

Is not relevant or does not fit the situation of a particular person or group

Part 5

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

Past Conditional Adjunct + S + V + C + Adjunct

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.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

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

Part 2

A placeholder word used to start the sentence

Part 3

would have been

Expresses something that was expected to be true in the past

Part 4

logical

Reasonable or making sense based on the facts

Part 5

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

Simple Present Adjunct + S + V + C

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.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

However

Used to introduce a statement that contrasts with or complicates what was just said

Part 2

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

Part 3

Represents the current state or reality

Part 4

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

Simple Past S + Adjunct + V + O + Adjunct + Adjunct

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.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

The NTA

The National Testing Agency, which is the organization being discussed

Part 2

on May 12, 2026

The specific date when the announcement was made

Part 3

announced

Made a formal public statement about something

Part 4

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

Part 5

amid allegations of paper leak

Happening while there were serious claims that the exam questions were shared illegally before the test

Part 6

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

Simple Past S + V + O + Adjunct

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.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

The decision

The official move to cancel the NEET-UG exam

Part 2

followed

Happened after something else had already occurred

Part 3

investigations

Formal examinations of the facts to find the truth about the leak

Part 4

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

Simple Past + Past Perfect S + V + O

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.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

Media reports

Information provided by news channels, newspapers, or journalists

Part 2

said

Stated or reported specific information

Part 3

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

Simple Past S + V + Adjunct + S + V

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

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

This

The situation regarding the leaked material reaching coaching hubs

Part 2

led

Caused or resulted in a particular action

Part 3

to investigations by the Rajasthan Police Special Operations Group

The start of formal checks by a specialized team of the Rajasthan police

Part 4

and 15 people

The number of individuals involved in the crime who were caught

Part 5

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

Simple Past Adjunct + S + V + O

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”.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

In the face of such obvious fraud

Even though it was very clear that a major crime had been committed

Part 2

the NTA

The government agency responsible for the exams

Part 3

maintained

Kept saying or holding the same position or story

Part 4

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

Simple Present S + Adjunct + V + C

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

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

The question

The main point of doubt or discussion that follows

Part 2

though

Used here to mean ‘however’, introducing a point that challenges the NTA’s claim

Part 3

Connects the subject to the specific question being asked

Part 4

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

Present Perfect Passive S + V + Adjunct + Adjunct + Adjunct

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

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

NEET

The national-level medical entrance examination in India

Part 2

has been dogged

Has been persistently followed or troubled by something negative

Part 3

by controversy

By public disagreement and heated discussion

Part 4

right from the start

From the very beginning of when the exam was introduced

Part 5

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

Present Perfect Adjunct + S + V + O + Adjunct

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.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

But even after it was rolled out across the country

Even after the NEET exam was started in all states of India

Part 2

the NTA, as the agency conducting the exam

The National Testing Agency, which has the specific job of managing the test

Part 3

has suffered

Has experienced something bad or unpleasant

Part 4

several dents to its credibility

Many incidents that have reduced people’s trust in the agency

Part 5

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

Simple Present S + V + O

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.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

This

The series of problems and controversies faced by the NTA

Part 2

includes

Consists of or contains the following examples

Part 3

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

Simple Past S + V + O + Adjunct

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.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

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

Part 2

recommended

Suggested that something should be done

Part 3

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

Part 4

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

Simple Present + Present Perfect S + V + O

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

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

The recurring scams and controversies

The illegal activities and public arguments that keep happening over and over again

Part 2

suggest

Indicate or show something to be likely or true

Part 3

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

Simple Present S + V + C + Adjunct

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

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

Ensuring the integrity of a national exam such as NEET

Making certain that a country-wide test like NEET is fair and honest

Part 2

States the reality or the status of the situation

Part 3

non-negotiable

Something that is absolutely necessary and cannot be changed or discussed

Part 4

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

Modal Present S + V + O

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

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

Only a complete and credible revamp of the system

Just a total and believable improvement of how things are done

Part 2

can start

Has the ability to begin something

Part 3

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

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

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

Once bitten, twice shy

A common proverb meaning that if you have had a bad experience, you will be more careful in the future

Part 2

this saying

The specific proverb mentioned just before

Part 3

surely

With certainty or without any doubt

Part 4

does not apply

Is not relevant or does not fit the situation of a particular person or group

Part 5

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.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

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

Part 2

A placeholder word used to start the sentence

Part 3

would have been

Expresses something that was expected to be true in the past

Part 4

logical

Reasonable or making sense based on the facts

Part 5

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.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

However

Used to introduce a statement that contrasts with or complicates what was just said

Part 2

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

Part 3

Represents the current state or reality

Part 4

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.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

The NTA

The National Testing Agency, which is the organization being discussed

Part 2

on May 12, 2026

The specific date when the announcement was made

Part 3

announced

Made a formal public statement about something

Part 4

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

Part 5

amid allegations of paper leak

Happening while there were serious claims that the exam questions were shared illegally before the test

Part 6

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

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

The decision

The official move to cancel the NEET-UG exam

Part 2

followed

Happened after something else had already occurred

Part 3

investigations

Formal examinations of the facts to find the truth about the leak

Part 4

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.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

Media reports

Information provided by news channels, newspapers, or journalists

Part 2

said

Stated or reported specific information

Part 3

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.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

This

The situation regarding the leaked material reaching coaching hubs

Part 2

led

Caused or resulted in a particular action

Part 3

to investigations by the Rajasthan Police Special Operations Group

The start of formal checks by a specialized team of the Rajasthan police

Part 4

and 15 people

The number of individuals involved in the crime who were caught

Part 5

were arrested

Were taken into custody by the police for being suspected of a crime

Sentence 8 of 16

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

In the face of such obvious fraud

Even though it was very clear that a major crime had been committed

Part 2

the NTA

The government agency responsible for the exams

Part 3

maintained

Kept saying or holding the same position or story

Part 4

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?

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

The question

The main point of doubt or discussion that follows

Part 2

though

Used here to mean ‘however’, introducing a point that challenges the NTA’s claim

Part 3

Connects the subject to the specific question being asked

Part 4

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.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

NEET

The national-level medical entrance examination in India

Part 2

has been dogged

Has been persistently followed or troubled by something negative

Part 3

by controversy

By public disagreement and heated discussion

Part 4

right from the start

From the very beginning of when the exam was introduced

Part 5

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

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

But even after it was rolled out across the country

Even after the NEET exam was started in all states of India

Part 2

the NTA, as the agency conducting the exam

The National Testing Agency, which has the specific job of managing the test

Part 3

has suffered

Has experienced something bad or unpleasant

Part 4

several dents to its credibility

Many incidents that have reduced people’s trust in the agency

Part 5

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

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

This

The series of problems and controversies faced by the NTA

Part 2

includes

Consists of or contains the following examples

Part 3

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

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

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

Part 2

recommended

Suggested that something should be done

Part 3

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

Part 4

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.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

The recurring scams and controversies

The illegal activities and public arguments that keep happening over and over again

Part 2

suggest

Indicate or show something to be likely or true

Part 3

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.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

Ensuring the integrity of a national exam such as NEET

Making certain that a country-wide test like NEET is fair and honest

Part 2

States the reality or the status of the situation

Part 3

non-negotiable

Something that is absolutely necessary and cannot be changed or discussed

Part 4

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.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

Only a complete and credible revamp of the system

Just a total and believable improvement of how things are done

Part 2

can start

Has the ability to begin something

Part 3

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

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Reading Comprehension - NTA NEET Credibility Crisis

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