More than 59,000 candidates are scheduled to take the NEET-UG 2026 re-examination in Kota and Sikar on Sunday, as authorities tighten security arrangements and parents flock to the two cities to support their wards.
Kota Exam Details
In Kota, 32,715 candidates have received admit cards for the retest, which will be conducted from 2pm to 5:15pm across 92 centres. This marks a decline from the 38,614 who sat for the original exam on May 3, with experts attributing the drop partly to students choosing centres closer to their hometowns.
Additional Divisional Magistrate (City) and NEET retest nodal officer Virendra Yadav confirmed that preparations are complete. "CCTV cameras have been installed at all 92 centres across the city," he said on Saturday. "Invigilators at all centres have been assigned responsibilities by their respective centre superintendents."
Security Measures
Question papers are secured under a multi-layered security blanket, with additional guards deployed at bank branches. The National Testing Agency (NTA) has deputed six coordinators and observers to oversee arrangements. A duty magistrate will be posted at every exam centre, and flying squads will cover clusters of eight centres each. Centre superintendents conducted mock security drills on Saturday.
Officials have been instructed to ensure strict biometric verification, physical frisking, and vigilance against cheating or suspicious activity. Kota city police held a meeting with coaching institute representatives on Saturday, urging them to report issues via the Student Helpline (95304-42778) or Social Media Helpline (94688-00005).
Sikar Exam and Support
Sikar, the state's second major coaching hub, will host over 27,000 candidates across 96 centres. The district administration has made extensive logistical preparations, while coaching institutes have intensified counselling and mentoring. Pradeep Budania, director of Gurukripa Career Institute, said, "We understand the gravity of the situation and are doing everything possible to provide emotional support and a positive environment for students. Regular counselling and interaction sessions are being organised to help them cope with exam pressure."
Hundreds of parents have temporarily moved to Sikar to be with their children. Churu residents Bharat Poonia and his wife Rachna said, "The recent reports of student suicides have worried us. We did not want our daughter Rukshmani to stay alone during this crucial period, so we decided to come and stay nearby." Suresh Bairwa and his wife Namita from Chomu arrived a day earlier. "My wife has been preparing meals not only for our daughter but also for seven of her friends staying in the same hostel. We want them to feel supported and cared for during this stressful time," Bairwa said.
Parental Presence in Kota
Similar stories are emerging in Kota. An IAS officer from Madhya Pradesh, who did not wish to be named, has been staying at a hotel in Kota for the past 10 days to support his son. "I make it a point to spend at least an hour with my son every day. We have lunch and dinner together, and I often stay awake through the night while he studies. At this stage, emotional support is as important as academic preparation," he said.
Coaching experts have advised students not to dwell on the cancelled exam but to view the retest as an opportunity to perform to the best of their ability.
