The day was dominated by the cancellation of the NEET-UG 2026 exam after a paper leak, with a CBI probe ordered. The leak spread from Nashik to 14 states, affecting over 22 lakh students. Political fallout included criticism of the government and NTA. In the morning, Himanta Biswa Sarma took oath as Assam CM for a second term. In Tamil Nadu, the AIADMK split ahead of CM Vijay's floor test, with a rebel faction backing TVK. Reports emerged that Pakistan secretly allowed Iranian aircraft to use its airbase while mediating with the US. The stock market crashed after PM Modi's renewed austerity appeal.