More than 20 thousand medical aspirants will appear for NEET-UG 2026 examination under enhanced security

More than 20,000 candidates appeared for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test-Undergraduate (NEET-UG) on Sunday (June 21, 2026) at 5,440 centers across India and 14 centers abroad, the National Testing Agency (NTA) said.

While the NTA did not reveal the exact number of students who appeared for the make-up exam, it is likely that fewer students appeared for the make-up exam than the 22.05,050,000 candidates who appeared for the NEET-UG exam in May, which was later canceled after the paper leak.

The screening was held in 13 languages, including Hindi and English. While the re-exam remained NCERT-focused, students found the paper more challenging than the canceled May exam due to the more computationally intensive part of Physics. Many students reported that Physics was the hardest section, while Chemistry was moderately difficult. Biology questions were largely based on NCERT, they added.

In Delhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi decided to wait at the airport after arriving from Kolkata instead of leaving immediately for his residence to ensure that candidates do not face inconvenience due to traffic restrictions.

The NTA said extensive arrangements have been made for all candidates, including more than 10,000 persons with disabilities. Special arrangements were put in place for around 81 candidates with health problems, including a student undergoing chemotherapy.

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan reviewed the arrangements for smooth conduct of examinations at NTA headquarters in Delhi, Okhla. The NTA briefed Mr. Pradhan about the logistical and technical arrangements put in place for efficient and transparent conduct of inspection.

In Kolkata, a candidate injured in an accident was allowed a separate room in the examination center along with medical support and an emergency ambulance. Candidate Shrishti Dubey sustained serious injuries in a road accident on June 14 and sought the authorities’ help with special arrangements.

The exam was scheduled from 2:00 p.m. to 5:15 p.m. Applicants with disabilities who are entitled to compensatory time had the opportunity to write the exam until 6:20 p.m.

Aadhaar-based biometric and facial authentication, CCTV monitoring, jammers and two-layer frisking have been introduced at the centers with the support of state police forces. At the national level, command and control centers for CCTV monitoring have been set up in the NTA and the Ministry of Education and 34 centrally funded institutions of the Ministry of Higher Education in each state and district collectors.

The NTA also drew support from the Central Armed Police Force, the Ministry of Posts, the Ministry of Financial Services, the National Information Center and the Indian Air Force. The Ministries involved were External Affairs, Home Affairs, Health and Family Welfare, Electronics and IT, Defense and Education and banking partners SBI, Canara Bank, PNB and UCO Bank along with State Governments and many other stakeholders.

An official removes a hairpin from a NEET candidate at an examination center in Kochi on June 21, 2026. | Photo credit: Thulasi Kakkat

Several state governments have made arrangements for students and parents such as shade, water and food at centres, emergency services of ambulances and medical facilities and in many states free transport for candidates on the day of the examinations.

Around 7 million officials, including police teams, observers and investigative personnel, have been mobilized across India to conduct this investigation.

The retest presented a number of academic, financial, and psychological obstacles for those who chose to retake the test. Some aspirants and their families pointed out the difficulties in commuting to the examination centres.

Last-minute rule changes and security checks led to confusion, with some students being denied entry due to minor time delays.

In Bhopal, two students were denied entry to the center after arriving late. Amir Qadri, an uncle of one of the aspirants, said, “I came here with my nephew for an exam. On the way to the examination center, we met with an accident and got a little late because my nephew received first aid. Now that we have reached here, we are denied entry. The authorities say that the exam has already started and we will not be allowed to enter.”

Meanwhile, nearly 79,400 candidates appeared for the examination at 211 centers across Gujarat, which was held amid tight security. The state police has deployed drones and other personnel at the centers to ensure a smooth and fair examination.

According to a media report, the burqa-clad NEET aspirant claimed that she was denied entry to the examination center in Rajasthan’s Ajmer. Candidate Kulsum Bano claimed that she had appeared for the earlier exam in the same outfit.

“I came from Beawar to take the NEET exam. When I took the exam on May 3, I was in the same clothes as I am now, I was wearing a burqa and a dupatta. Initially they said I would have to take off my dupatta to enter, then they insisted that I have to take off my burqa as well,” she said.

The NTA later clarified that the aspirant was allowed to enter the centre.

According to the NTA, more than 95,000 examination rooms have been equipped with a camera system. A total of 1,38,560 CCTV cameras have been installed, with resources being virtually monitored at the national, state and departmental levels, officials said. 51,311 jammers were deployed to ensure control against misuse of electronics.

(With agency inputs)

Published – 21 Jun 2026 13:37 IST