Ludhiana: Paramilitary troops and local police will secure the city’s 15 examination centres this Sunday as more than 5,300 students retake India’s high-stakes medical entrance test following a nationwide paper-leak scandal.
Background of the Scandal
The National Testing Agency (NTA) invalidated the initial May 3 National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) amid widespread irregularities. Candidate enrolment in the district has since grown from 5,000 aspirants across 15 government schools and colleges.
Security Measures Announced
Ludhiana deputy commissioner Himanshu Jain said on Friday that the administration had enforced strict security protocols to guarantee an uncompromised testing environment. Under NTA directives, Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) personnel will reinforce local police. Two armed paramilitary officers will be stationed at each centre, primarily overseeing the transport of testing materials from custodian banks. City coordinators and duty magistrates will manage regional clusters to streamline operations.
Infrastructure and Contingency Plans
The administration has mobilised multiple civic departments to prevent infrastructure failures. The Punjab State Power Corporation Limited will guarantee uninterrupted power to all venues, while the district fire officer has placed emergency response teams on alert. Additionally, the Regional Transport Authority (RTA) has countered logistical bottlenecks by acquiring a dedicated 15-vehicle fleet for secure transit, and the health department has stationed medical teams and ambulances on standby across the city.
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