NEET-UG 2026 re-test: NTA deploys 2 lakh personnel, tightens security across centres

The NTA has completed preparations for the NEET-UG 2026 re-examination on June 21, with over 22.79 lakh candidates appearing across 5,500+ centres. More than two lakh personnel, CCTV surveillance, biometric verification, GPS tracking, and strict security measures have been implemented to ensure a fair and smooth examination process.

In Short

• NEET-UG 2026 re-test on June 21 with 22.79 lakh candidates across 551 Indian cities and 14 abroad
• Over 2 lakh staff deployed ensuring smooth conduct and multi-layered security
• Biometric checks, CCTV monitoring, GPS transport, and social media surveillance to prevent malpractice

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has completed preparations for the NEET-UG 2026 re-test scheduled to be held on June 21, with over 22.79 lakh candidates set to appear across more than 5,500 examination centres in India and abroad.

The pen-and-paper medical entrance test will be conducted from 2:00 PM to 5:15 PM across 551 cities in India and 14 international locations. Candidates belonging to the PwD/PwBD category who are eligible for compensatory time will be allowed to continue writing until 6:20 PM.

OVER 2 LAKH PERSONNEL DEPLOYED

To ensure the smooth conduct of the examination, the NTA has deployed more than two lakh personnel, including 674 city coordinators, 6,669 independent observers, centre superintendents, invigilators, district administration officials, and police personnel.

The agency said that a multi-layered security framework has been put in place to safeguard the integrity of the examination.

EXTENSIVE SECURITY MEASURES

Question papers and examination materials will be transported in GPS-enabled vehicles under police escort. All examination centres will be monitored through CCTV cameras connected to centralised control rooms.

Candidates will undergo mandatory frisking using high-sensitivity metal detectors and Aadhaar-based biometric authentication to prevent impersonation and malpractice.

The NTA has also intensified surveillance of social media platforms and has lodged complaints with cybercrime authorities, including the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) under the Ministry of Home Affairs and the CBI, to tackle misinformation and fraud related to the examination.

NO DENIAL OF ENTRY DUE TO BIOMETRIC FAILURE

The agency clarified that candidates will not be denied entry if biometric verification fails due to technical glitches, poor fingerprint quality, or connectivity issues.

In such cases, candidates will be required to submit a written undertaking, and their identity will be verified manually through valid documents.

SPECIAL MEASURES AMID SUMMER HEAT

Considering the prevailing summer conditions, the NTA has directed all centres to ensure an uninterrupted power supply through generators and backup systems to keep fans and lights functional during the afternoon examination shift.

Centres have also been instructed to provide drinking water, sanitation facilities, wall clocks, and medical assistance.

General candidates will be allowed to carry transparent water bottles, while diabetic candidates may additionally bring sugar tablets and fruits such as bananas, apples, and oranges.

REPORTING TIME AND ENTRY RULES

Candidates must report to their examination centres between 11:00 AM and 1:30 PM. Entry gates will close strictly at 1:30 PM, after which no candidate will be allowed inside under any circumstances.

Those wearing customary or religious attire, full-sleeved clothing, or woollen garments have been advised to arrive early to facilitate thorough security checks.

Candidates must carry a printed admit card, one original valid photo identity card, and two passport-sized photographs.

The NTA also advised candidates to verify the exact location of their examination centres from the admit card, cautioning that digital map applications may sometimes display inaccurate locations.

Mobile phones, smartwatches, Bluetooth devices, calculators, wallets, jewellery, metallic accessories, food packets, and other electronic gadgets will not be permitted inside examination centres.

NTA URGES STUDENTS TO IGNORE RUMOURS

The agency urged candidates and parents to ignore rumours regarding question paper leaks or examination irregularities and rely only on official information available on the NTA’s NEET website.

For students experiencing examination-related stress or anxiety, the NTA highlighted the availability of Tele-MANAS, the government’s 24x7 mental health helpline, accessible through 14416.

- Ends