Guwahati: Military personnel will deliver the NEET-UG question papers to examination venues across Assam, as the state government has implemented a stringent plan to conduct the test on June 21 under heavy security. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced the decision after chairing a high-level review meeting on the NEET-UG re-examination with senior administrative and police officials on Wednesday.
Security Measures for Question Papers
“Question papers to be transported by military officials,” Sarma posted on his X handle. He directed that access to bank lockers where the question papers are stored must be strictly regulated. A senior police officer, not below the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), will be assigned in each district to supervise the security and monitoring of these lockers.
Zero-Tolerance Approach at Exam Centres
The government will adopt a zero-tolerance approach, introducing double-layer frisking for all candidates, installing mobile jammers at examination sites, and ensuring round-the-clock police guarding of centres across Assam. Sarma reviewed preparedness in the districts where the examination will be held. A total of 43,319 candidates have registered in the state, and the test will take place at 87 centres spread across 17 districts.
Video Conference with Officials
According to a statement from the CM’s office, the assessment was carried out through a video conference with district commissioners, senior superintendents of police (SSPs), and other senior officials. Sarma instructed them to ensure the examination is conducted in a free, fair, and transparent manner. “The CM directed DCs and SSPs to jointly inspect all examination centres to assess security arrangements, infrastructure preparedness, and examination-day logistics. He also instructed that a mandatory technical audit and dry run of CCTV systems, biometric devices, and signal jammers be carried out at all centres well before the examination,” the statement said.
Prohibitory Orders and Public Awareness
Sarma directed that prohibitory orders be enforced within a 100-metre radius of every examination centre. He asked for sufficient publicity to build public awareness of the restrictions and ensure that no one other than candidates approaches the examination centres. Visits by private individuals should be allowed only in exceptional cases and with prior approval from the district magistrate. The CM also directed that an adequate number of women police personnel be deployed at all centres.
Compliance with NTA Guidelines
He underlined the need to strictly follow National Testing Agency (NTA) guidelines on candidate frisking. He instructed that double-layer checks be conducted firmly, professionally, and courteously, so candidates are not inconvenienced or made uncomfortable, while maintaining maximum vigilance against any attempt at malpractice.
Officials Present at Review Meeting
State chief secretary Ravi Kota, additional chief secretary (home) Ajay Tewari, additional chief secretary to the CM K K Dwivedi, special DGP Munna Prasad Gupta, special ADGP (SB) Hiren Nath, IGP (law and order) Akhilesh Singh, commissioner and secretary of the medical education and research department Siddharth Singh, and other senior officials were present at the review meeting. Director General of the NTA, Abhishek Singh, participated through video conference.
