New Delhi: NEET-UG re-exam is underway at centres across the country and overseas Sunday amid tight security arrangements for the smooth conduct of the examination.
The National Testing Agency (NTA) is conducting the NEET-UG 2026 re-test after the cancellation of the earlier May 3 exam amid an ongoing probe into the question paper leak.
The examination began at 2 PM and will conclude at 5.15 PM. Candidates with disabilities (PwD/PwBD) eligible for compensatory time will be allowed to write the examination till 6.20 pm.
Aspirants and their families flagged commuting difficulties in reaching the examination centres.
In Bhopal, two students were denied entry to the centre after arriving late. Amir Qadri, uncle of one of the aspirants, says, “I have come here with my nephew for his examination. While on our way to the examination centre, we met with an accident and got a bit late, since my nephew received first aid. Now that we have reached here, we are being denied entry. The authorities are saying the exam has already begun and that it won’t be possible to permit us entry.”
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Heavy rains lashed Kolkata and its adjoining areas, triggering severe waterlogging in several parts of the city and disrupting traffic movement.
The showers brought respite from humid conditions but caused difficulties for commuters, including NEET aspirants travelling to examination centres for the re-test.
In Mumbai, the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) arranged special bus services for students appearing in the re-examination amid the ongoing strike by its employees. According to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, nearly 180 bus trips were planned during the day, with 60 buses deployed on 24 routes to facilitate travel to 63 examination centres across the city.
Meanwhile, nearly 79,400 aspirants appeared for the re-examination at 211 centres across Gujarat, which was held amid extensive security arrangements. State police deployed drones and additional personnel at the centres to ensure the smooth and fair conduct of the examination.
In some states, including in Delhi, free drinking water and refreshments were also arranged for parents and guardians waiting outside examination centres, officials said.
A candidate, Kishan, appearing for the re-examination in Delhi, said security arrangements were tighter this time than during the earlier test.
“A lot has happened over the past one month. I have revised as much as I could, and now, I just want to write the exam. I only hope the exam is conducted fairly,” he told PTI Videos.
“Everyone who took that exam was under immense pressure, especially the students who were on the verge of qualifying,” he added.
Sonia, who is appearing for the NEET-UG re-examination in Delhi, said she was feeling more stressed this time than during the earlier test. She also noted that drinking water and coolers have been arranged this time, unlike during the previous exam, and security had also been tightened.
“If such security arrangements had been in place the last time, the chances of a paper leak would have been lower, and students would not have had to face so much trouble,” she said.
In Odisha, candidate Parthasarathi Raut said he would try his best in the re-test to secure admission to a medical college.
According to a media report, a NEET aspirant wearing a burqa alleged that she was denied entry to an examination centre in Rajasthan’s Ajmer. The candidate, Kulsum Bano, claimed she had appeared for the earlier exam wearing the same attire.
“I have come from Beawar to take the NEET exam. When I took the exam on May 3, I was in the same attire then as I am now, wearing a burqa and a dupatta. Initially, they said I would have to remove the dupatta to enter; then they insisted I had to remove the burqa as well,” she said.
“If the NTA has permitted us, these people cannot stop us… If I am to take the exam and they don’t allow me in this attire, then I simply won’t take it,” she said. “The exam doesn’t matter to me; what matters is my ‘burqa’ and my identity,” she added.
The NTA later clarified that the aspirant was allowed entry to the examination centre.
The examination is being conducted across 5,440 centres in 551 cities in India and 14 centres abroad. It is being conducted in English and 12 Indian languages. According to NTA, more than 95,000 examination rooms have been equipped with CCTV surveillance.
A total of 1,38,560 CCTV cameras have been installed, with feeds monitored virtually at the national, state and ministry levels, officials said. To secure the examination against electronic malpractice, 51,311 jammers have been deployed.
Ahead of the re-test, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan urged candidates to appear for it fearlessly and free of anxiety.
Pradhan, who was speaking at a yoga event at Delhi University on the occasion of International Day of Yoga, said he has complete faith in NTA, state governments, district administrations, the education fraternity and the students.
Appealing to people not to do anything that could affect children’s mental health, Pradhan said the future of India’s new generation should not be toyed with.
PTI
