NEET-UG re-exam today; 22 lakh to appear
AI Summary
India is conducting the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET)-UG 2026 re-examination with over 2.2 million candidates participating across thousands of centers nationwide and abroad. Extensive security measures, including police deployment and technological controls, are in place to prevent malpractice following a previous exam scam.
New Delhi: The National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET)-UG 2026 re-examination is set to be conducted on Sunday, with authorities across the country implementing extensive security and logistical arrangements to ensure the smooth and fair conduct of the examination.More than 22.79 lakh candidates are expected to appear for the examination at 5,440 centres across 551 cities in India and 14 centres abroad.Commenting on re-NEET examination arrangements, Union Minister Ramdas Athawale on Saturday said the Centre had taken strict measures to prevent any malpractice during the examination."There was a scam in the NEET exam earlier, which caused significant trouble for people. The Government of India has taken very strict measures... those responsible must face severe punishment... The exam is taking place tomorrow. We regret that students have to take the exam again. We hope there will be no irregularities," Athawale told reporters.Also read | NTA urges NEET UG 2026 candidates to stay calmIn Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya said efforts were being made to ensure the examination is conducted in an orderly manner."When there has been a glitch in any exam before, the government's effort is to conduct the exam in an orderly manner. Efforts are being made in that direction," Maurya said.In Lucknow, Joint Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) Babloo Kumar said comprehensive security arrangements had been made across 75 examination centres in the district."We have ensured comprehensive police arrangements to conduct this exam smoothly and securely. There are three tiers of police deployment. The first team is responsible for transporting question papers to the centers and collecting the students' answer sheets afterwards; this team will comprise two CAPF personnel and two constables from our police force. Additionally, we have deployed adequate police personnel--led by Sub-Inspectors and Inspectors--at every centre to handle the checking and frisking of candidates," he said.Also read | Portfolio careers gain ground as white-collar gig work surges in India"Candidates are not permitted to carry anything other than their admit card, ID card, and photograph; pens will be provided to the students inside the exam hall... LIU (Local Intelligence Unit) and criminal intelligence teams have been activated; we are keeping a close watch on known offenders and gathering intelligence to ensure no one attempts to cause any disruption... Our team is monitoring every social media platform round-the-clock. If anyone spreads misinformation in this regard, we will identify them and take strict action," he added.Authorities in Noida conducted inspections at examination centres, including BhawShankar Inter College in Sector 46, where CCTV cameras and jammers were installed to prevent malpractice.Joint Commissioner of Police Rajiv Narayan Mishra said NEET would be conducted across 23 centres in Gautam Buddha Nagar district and that Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) had been enforced to maintain law and order."Under the Gautam Buddha Nagar Police Commissionerate, the NEET competitive exam will be conducted across 23 centres: 5 in the Noida zone, 11 in the Central Noida zone, and 7 in the Greater Noida zone... Section 163 of the BNS has been enforced to maintain peace. Additionally, traffic duties have been arranged at important locations," he said.In Varanasi, Additional Police Commissioner (Law and Order) Shiv Hari Meena said 47 examination centres had been established and special arrangements had been made for candidates arriving at railway stations and bus stands."Social media is being monitored, and checks are being conducted at cyber cafes and photocopy shops. Defaulters from previous exams are also under surveillance. Approximately 25,000 students will appear for the exam here. Sufficient forces, including those in civilian dress, have been deployed according to standards," he added.In Karnataka, preparations were completed at centres in Kalaburagi and Bagalkot. Officials said jammers, CCTV cameras and frisking arrangements had been put in place, while invigilators and security personnel had been briefed ahead of the examination.Chief Superintendent Sampath Lamani in Bagalkot told ANI, "The centre is prepared to accommodate 240 students, with drinking water and security measures in place within the exam rooms. The district administration has ensured all necessary preparations are done... According to the NTA instructions, prohibited items will be checked for.""Bagalkot city has a total of 11 exam centres and 3,967 students will appear for the test," added Deputy Commissioner Sangappa in Bagalkot.Delhi Police also reviewed security arrangements at PM SHRI Kendriya Vidyalaya in Masjid Moth, one of the designated centres for the re-examination, while authorities in Haryana's Ambala deployed 270 police personnel across seven centres.Ambala DSP Jagbir Singh said, "A total of 7 examinatio