The National Testing Agency (NTA) has announced several candidate-friendly modifications for the NEET-UG 2026 retest scheduled on June 21. The overall examination duration has been increased from 180 minutes to 195 minutes, and the number of rough-work pages in the question booklet has been doubled.
Reason for Retest
The retest follows the cancellation of the May 3 exam due to a paper leak, which is currently under investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The NTA issued a notice confirming that the exam, which is for admissions to medical colleges, will be held from 2 pm to 5:15 pm.
Additional Time for Formalities
The extra 15 minutes are intended to accommodate mandatory formalities such as attendance signing and other procedures. Based on feedback received over the years, the NTA stated that the revised schedule ensures candidates receive the full intended exam time without administrative processes affecting their opportunity to attempt the question paper.
Enhanced Rough-Work Pages
The NTA has also doubled the rough-work space available in the question booklet. Candidates will now receive four rough-work pages instead of the previous two. Additionally, the layout of the booklet has been changed. Previously, rough-work pages were placed at the end of the question paper. Based on feedback that this was less convenient for left-handed candidates, two rough-work pages will now be placed immediately after the instruction page at the beginning of the booklet, while the remaining two will remain at the end.
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