NTA debars NEET UG aspirant for 2 years in paper leak case, bars 2027 attempt

The NTA has debarred Aditya Motegaonkar from NEET UG for two years and withheld his result. The move deepens the fallout of the paper leak case and bars him from the 2027 exam.

In Short

• Aditya Motegaonkar's examination result remains on hold after fresh scrutiny
• The action follows allegations linked to this year's cancelled May 3 test
• CBI says his father paid Rs 5 lakh for chemistry questions

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has debarred Aditya Motegaonkar, the son of Latur-based coaching centre owner Shivraj Motegaonkar, from appearing for the NEET UG examination for two years in connection with this year's paper leak case. His result for the examination held earlier this year has been withheld, and he has also been declared ineligible to appear for NEET UG 2027, according to an NTA communication dated September 19.

Shivraj Motegaonkar, who was arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation in the NEET UG paper leak case, is currently in judicial custody. According to the CBI, he allegedly paid Rs 5 lakh to procure chemistry questions from P V Kulkarni, who was on the NTA panel that set the questions for the examination. The agency also alleged that his son attended Kulkarni's coaching classes where the questions were provided.

NEET UG 2026 RESULT PUT ON HOLD FOR THIS ASPIRANT

After conducting the NEET UG retest on June 21, the NTA put Aditya Motegaonkar's result on hold and sought his explanation over the alleged irregularities. In his response, he denied having used any unfair means during the examination. He also said the notice issued to him related to the alleged irregularities in the May 3 examination and questioned why his result in the subsequent retest had been withheld.

The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (Undergraduate), or NEET UG, is conducted by the NTA for medical aspirants. On May 12, the NTA cancelled the NEET UG held on May 3 for admissions to medical courses following allegations of a paper leak. A re-examination was then conducted on June 21.

Last month, the CBI submitted its final report before the designated fast-track court in Delhi dealing with "criminal cases arising from paper leaks as well as the use of other unfair means in public examinations". The latest NTA action means Aditya Motegaonkar's result remains withheld and he cannot appear for NEET UG 2027.

- Ends