NEET cancellation leaves medical aspirants traumatised

Patna: The NTA’s decision to cancel NEET-UG 2026 over allegations of widespread paper leaks has left thousands of students in Bihar emotionally shattered and uncertain about their future. More than 1.5 lakh candidates from the state had appeared for the May 3 examination, hoping years of preparation would finally lead them to medical colleges.Instead, the cancellation has triggered anger, anxiety and a growing sense of hopelessness among aspirants already battling intense academic pressure.For many students in Patna’s coaching hubs, the examination was not just a test but a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to secure a stable future for their families.Aniruddh Kumar, a medical aspirant from Buddha Colony, said repeated paper leak controversies had demoralised students.“We had become demotivated because of repeated paper leaks, but we have to work hard and try again for the re-exam, scheduled in June. Many students are from poor and middle-class families and we come to Patna to pursue our dreams. We strive for that one opportunity that if we become doctors, we will serve the poor and treat many patients. That hope has perhaps been shattered and we feel demotivated,” Aniruddh said.Rahul Kumar, a 17-year-old aspirant, described the emotional exhaustion caused by the cancellation.“I studied 14-15 hours every day for the last two years. I sacrificed my sleep, health and family time for this single exam. Now after the leak, the paper has been cancelled. All my hard work feels wasted. We have to go through the same anxiety and stress level again,” Rahul said.Another aspirant from Kankarbagh, Shivani Gupta, said the uncertainty surrounding the re-examination had worsened students’ mental stress.“The pressure was already very high. We heard rumours of a leak right after the exam. Now that it is officially cancelled, there is so much uncertainty. This waiting period is mentally exhausting,” Shivani said.Mental health experts in Patna say the fallout has been severe. Counsellors and psychiatrists have reported a rise in distressed students seeking help.Psychologist Dr Binda Singh said many aspirants were struggling emotionally after the cancellation.“Many children who were serious about their studies have been coming in for counselling sessions. Some even contact over the phone; one of them started crying. They had worked very hard,” Dr Singh said.She added, “After giving the exam, children relax and start listening music, and then suddenly when they find out it's cancelled, imagine what happens to them. It creates double pressure and anxiety. After repeated cancellations, a kind of insecurity develops in the children.”Dr Singh also appealed to parents to avoid increasing pressure on students.“Parents too indirectly put a lot of pressure — ‘It will happen this time, won’t it?’ This indirect pressure disturbs the children a lot. In this situation right now, put as minimum pressure as possible on them,” she said.Dr Santosh Kumar, head of psychiatry department at Nalanda Medical College and Hospital (NMCH), warned that repeated examination cancellations could lead to serious mental health consequences.“Students and candidates are coming for counselling who have gone into depression,” Dr Kumar said.“It can definitely lead to mental health issues... adjustment issues, anxiety, depression, sleep deprivation and concentration issues are definitely seen in such people. It is very severe,” he added.The cancellation has also placed fresh financial burdens on families already struggling with coaching expenses, hostel rent and travel costs.Kanchan Kumari, who lives in a hostel in Machchuatoli, said she could not afford another round of coaching expenses.“I cannot afford coaching classes again even for a month,” Kanchan said.A parent from PC Colony said the cancellation had once again pushed students back into uncertainty after briefly allowing them to relax.“Now, the cancellation has brought back irritability, concentration difficulties, and uncertainty. Getting back to the same state was not easy for anyone,” he said.