Over 20 Lakh Candidates Appear for NEET Re-Test Amid Tight Security Following Paper Leak Scandal

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More than 20 lakh medical aspirants sat for the NEET (UG) re-examination on Sunday, a second attempt after the original test was scrapped over paper leaks that sparked widespread protests and political heat for the government. The National Testing Agency (NTA), which has faced intense scrutiny, conducted the exam across 5,440 centres in India and 14 abroad, with papers set in 13 languages including Hindi and English.

NTA Director General Abhishek Singh credited a coordinated multi-agency effort for pulling off the massive exercise in just 37 days. "This was not the NTA acting alone. It was Team Bharat," the agency said in a statement, noting that around 7 lakh officials — including police teams, observers and examination staff — were mobilised nationwide. The NTA also thanked academic experts who volunteered their time to create multiple question paper sets.

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan reviewed preparations at the NTA headquarters in Delhi's Okhla. The Ministry of Education said the minister was briefed on logistical and technical arrangements aimed at ensuring transparency.

Special provisions were made for over 10,000 candidates with disabilities and 81 individuals with medical conditions, including a child recovering from a road accident and another undergoing chemotherapy. "They were determined not to miss an exam they had prepared for years," the NTA noted.

Security measures included Aadhaar-based biometric and face authentication, CCTV surveillance, jammers, and two-layer frisking with state police support. Command and control centres for CCTV monitoring were set up at the NTA, the Ministry of Education, 34 centrally funded institutions, all states, and district collectorates.

Singh acknowledged minor incidents: candidates with wrong or forged admit cards, impersonation cases, and attempts to smuggle mobile phones. "Action has been taken," he said, adding that frisking and cameras helped prevent unfair means.

Meanwhile, the Cockroach Janta Party, founded by Abhijeet Dipke as an online campaign, has been holding protests demanding the education minister's resignation over the irregularities. A probe into the original paper leak continues.

📰 Source: Sahil Online