Security Measures and Exam Conduct
The National Testing Agency (NTA) is conducting the NEET-UG 2026 re-test on Sunday, June 21, 2026, at centers across India and overseas. The examination began at 2 PM and is scheduled to conclude at 5:15 PM, with candidates with disabilities eligible for compensatory time until 6:20 PM. The re-test follows the cancellation of the earlier May 3 exam due to an ongoing probe into a question paper leak. To prevent malpractice, authorities have deployed 1,38,560 CCTV cameras and 51,311 jammers across 5,440 centers in 551 Indian cities and 14 centers abroad. Over 95,000 examination rooms are equipped with CCTV surveillance, with feeds monitored virtually at national, state, and ministry levels, according to NTA officials.
Travel and Logistical Challenges
Aspirants and their families reported commuting difficulties reaching examination centers. In Bhopal, two students were denied entry after arriving late; one aspirant's uncle, Amir Qadri, explained they were involved in an accident and received first aid, but authorities refused entry as the exam had begun. Heavy rains in Kolkata caused severe waterlogging, disrupting traffic and affecting students traveling to centers. In Mumbai, the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) arranged special bus services amid a strike by its employees, with nearly 180 bus trips planned and 60 buses deployed on 24 routes to serve 63 centers across the city, as per the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation.
State-Level Arrangements
In Gujarat, nearly 79,400 aspirants appeared for the re-examination at 211 centers with extensive security. State police deployed drones and additional personnel to ensure smooth conduct. In Delhi, free drinking water and refreshments were arranged for parents and guardians waiting outside centers, officials said. A candidate named Kishan noted tighter security compared to the earlier test, expressing hope for a fair exam. Another aspirant, Sonia, said she felt more stressed this time but appreciated the availability of drinking water and coolers, commenting that better security earlier could have prevented the paper leak.
Incidents and Clarifications
In Rajasthan's Ajmer, a NEET aspirant named Kulsum Bano, wearing a burqa, alleged she was denied entry. She claimed she had appeared in the same attire for the May 3 exam and stated, "If the NTA has permitted us, these people cannot stop us... The exam doesn't matter to me; what matters is my 'burqa' and my identity." The NTA later clarified that she was allowed entry to the examination center.
Official Statements and Aspirant Reactions
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan urged candidates to appear fearlessly, speaking at a yoga event at Delhi University on International Day of Yoga. He expressed faith in the NTA, state governments, and district administrations, appealing to people not to affect children's mental health. In Odisha, candidate Parthasarathi Raut said he would try his best to secure medical college admission. The re-test is conducted in English and 12 Indian languages, with over 79,400 aspirants in Gujarat alone, reflecting the nationwide scale of the examination.
