The Centre is evaluating the possibility of deploying the Indian Air Force (IAF) to transport NEET-UG question papers, ensuring a foolproof conduct of the retest scheduled for June 21, according to sources cited by news agency PTI.
This development follows a high-level meeting chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, which was also attended by Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia. The meeting comprehensively reviewed the entire examination process, including the setting and printing of question papers, transportation, and security arrangements.
Sources informed PTI that the ministers and senior officials deliberated on whether IAF aircraft could be utilized for transporting the NEET-UG test papers. However, no final decision has been reached yet, and the option will be presented to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a final verdict.
Prime Minister Modi is reportedly personally monitoring the preparations for the June 21 retest and is being updated on every detail related to the examination process.
The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (Undergraduate), or NEET-UG, was originally conducted on May 3 across 551 cities in India and at 14 overseas centres. Nearly 23 lakh candidates had registered for the test, which was administered by the National Testing Agency (NTA).
According to the NTA, information regarding alleged malpractices was received on the evening of May 7, four days after the exam. The inputs were shared with central agencies the next morning for independent verification and necessary action.
On May 12, the NTA cancelled NEET-UG amid allegations of a paper leak, and a re-examination was scheduled for June 21. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) registered a case based on a written complaint from the Department of Higher Education under the Ministry of Education.
The CBI formed special teams to investigate the case, conducted searches across the country, and made prompt arrests. So far, 13 accused have been arrested in connection with the case from Delhi, Jaipur, Gurugram, Nashik, Pune, Latur, and Ahilyanagar.
The CBI had earlier stated that the investigation conducted so far has revealed the actual source of the question paper leak.
