Ensure reliable and safe NEET, says Education Minister at review meeting

In this photo taken on May 19, 2026, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan chairs a review meeting on preparations for the NEET (UG) examination and orders officials to ensure safe conduct under strict security protocols in New Delhi. | Photo credit: PTI

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Tuesday (May 19, 2026) chairing a review meeting on preparations for the National Eligibility Test (College) for medical admissions, directed the authorities to conduct the re-test in a “reliable” manner “under strict security protocols”. The test, held on May 3, was canceled after the questions were leaked, leading to an uproar and a federal investigation.

An education ministry statement said Mr Pradhan chaired a “high-level review meeting” with senior ministry officials and “stressed the need for complete integrity and transparency in the conduct of the examination”. The minister said all “loopholes” in the earlier test should be identified and “comprehensively addressed and removed”.

The statement said Mr Pradhan said “coordination meetings” should be held with district magistrates and superintendents of police in all states to “ensure thorough monitoring and effective implementation of investigative measures”. The Minister of Education called for the test to be conducted “in a safe, trouble-free and reliable manner according to strict security protocols”. “While stressing that vigilance and security at examination centers must remain uncompromised, Mr. Pradhan instructed officials to make adequate arrangements for students, including transport, drinking water and other necessary facilities,” the ministry said.

The May 3 leak of test questions affected more than 20 million students.

The Central Bureau of Investigation, which is investigating the leak, has made several arrests in the case.

Published – 19 May 2026 22:30 IST