Mumbai: After the tragic death of a family of four in Mumbai’s Pydhonie last month, a 15-year-old boy died, and three children fell ill after reportedly consuming watermelon in Chhattisgarh’s Janjgir-Champa district. This case comes just within a month when a family of four members of the Dokadia family died on April 26.

the deceased, identified as Akhilesh Dhivar (15), while the other children are Shri Dhivar (4), Pintu Dhivar (12), and Hitesh Dhivar (13), had come to their maternal uncle’s house in Ghurkot village after attending a wedding.

Preliminary reports suggested that the children had consumed cut watermelon on Sunday evening, however, a few hours later, the 15-year-old Akhilesh developed vomiting, diarrhoea, and breathing difficulties. Not just him, similar symptoms were also later seen in the other three children.

As their condition worsened, they were rushed to the hospital. Speaking on the case, Civil Surgeon Dr S Kujur told the daily that Akhilesh was declared brought dead on arrival, while the other three were admitted to the emergency ward.

The doctor suspected food poisoning, possibly due to contaminated cut watermelon. He said the fruit was cut in the morning hours and was eaten several hours later.

Currently, in the case, Akhilesh’s body has been sent for post-mortem, while the other watermelon at the house has been sent for laboratory testing to the food safety department. The report added that the exact cause of the death and illness would be known only when these reports are in.

New Delhi, May 12: The National Testing Agency (NTA) on Tuesday cancelled the NEET-UG 2026 examination conducted on May 3 and announced that the exam would be re-conducted on dates to be notified separately.

The NTA issued an official statement on the social media platform X, stating that the decision was taken after examining inputs received from Central agencies and law enforcement authorities regarding alleged irregularities in the examination process.

“In continuation of its press release dated 10 May 2026, the National Testing Agency wishes to inform candidates, parents, and members of the public of the following decisions taken in respect of NEET (UG) 2026. NTA had, on 8 May 2026, referred the matters then under consideration to the central agencies for independent verification and necessary action, consistent with its standing commitment to the fair, secure, and credible conduct of the national examinations entrusted to it,” the agency said.

The NTA further stated that, based on the findings shared by investigative agencies and after coordination with Central authorities, the examination process could not be allowed to stand.

“On the basis of the inputs subsequently examined by NTA in coordination with the central agencies, and the investigative findings shared by the law enforcement agencies and in order to ensure that there is transparency in the system, the National Testing Agency, with the approval of the Government of India, has decided to cancel the NEET (UG) 2026 examination conducted on 3 May 2026, and to re-conduct the examination on dates that will be notified separately,” the statement added.

The agency also announced that the Government of India has decided to hand over the matter to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for a comprehensive inquiry into the allegations surrounding the examination.

“The Government of India has further decided to refer the matter to the Central Bureau of Investigation for a comprehensive inquiry into the allegations therein. NTA will extend full cooperation to the Bureau and will provide all materials, records, and assistance the inquiry requires,” NTA added.

“The inputs received by NTA, taken together with the findings shared by the law enforcement agencies, established that the present examination process could not be allowed to stand. The re-conducted examination dates, along with the re-issued admit-card schedule, will be communicated through the official channels of the Agency in the coming days,” the statement said.

The examination body acknowledged the inconvenience caused to students and parents due to the cancellation and re-examination process but maintained that the decision was necessary to protect the integrity of the national examination system.

“This decision has been taken in the interest of students and in recognition of the trust on which the national examination system rests. The Agency is conscious that the re-conduct will cause real and significant inconvenience to candidates and their families. However, the alternative would have caused greater and more lasting damage to that trust,” the NTA said.

The agency clarified that the registration data, candidature and examination centres opted for during the May 2026 cycle would remain valid for the re-conducted examination. No fresh registration process will be required, and no additional examination fee will be charged.

The NTA also stated that the examination fee already paid by candidates would be refunded, while the re-examination would be conducted using the agency’s internal resources.

Further details regarding the revised examination schedule and reissued admit cards will be announced through the official channels of the agency.

“Further communications, including the re-conducted examination dates and the re-issued admit-card schedule, will be issued through the official channels of the Agency. Candidates and parents are requested to rely only on these official channels and to disregard unverified reports circulating on social media,” the NTA said.

Meanwhile, reports of a possible paper leak had surfaced from Rajasthan after the NEET-UG 2026 examination held on May 3. The Rajasthan Special Operations Group (SOG) launched an investigation into the allegations.

According to reports, investigators recovered a handwritten suggestion paper in which nearly 120 questions allegedly matched the actual NEET question paper, including around 90 Biology questions and 30 Chemistry questions.

NEET UG 2026: The National Testing Agency (NTA) has announced the cancellation of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (Undergraduate) 2026. With 22.79 lakh candidates registered for the NEET UG exam this year, the official announcement has stated that the National Testing Agency, with the approval of the Government of India, has decided to cancel the NEET UG 2026 examination conducted on May 3, 2026, and to re-conduct the examination on dates that will be notified later.

The decision has been taken on the basis of the inputs examined by the NTA in coordination with the central agencies, and the investigative findings shared by the law enforcement agencies, the testing agency stated. 

The Government of India has further decided to refer the matter to the Central Bureau of Investigation for a comprehensive inquiry into the allegations therein. 

The NTA released the NEET UG provisional answer key on May 6. The exam was conducted across 551 cities in India and 14 cities abroad, at over 5,432 centres, for approximately 22.79 lakh registered candidates, making NEET UG one of the largest entrance examinations in the world, according to official data. 

Earlier the NTA had informed via a press release that more than 6,000 observers were deployed for independent oversight at the examination centres. Over two lakh personnel have been mobilised to ensure the smooth conduct of the NEET UG 2026 examination.

For students affected, the NTA will announce the re-examination dates soon. The NTA has stated that the decision has been taken in the interest of students and in recognition of the trust on which the national examination system rests. 

“The Agency is conscious that re-conduct will cause real and significant inconvenience to candidates and their families. NTA does not take that consequence lightly. The decision has been taken because the alternative would have caused greater and more lasting damage to that trust,” the National Testing Agency said on a social media post on X.

The re-examination dates and the re-issued admit-card schedule, will be issued through the official channels of the agency, as per the official notice.