Everything is now set for the high-stakes re-examination of NEET UG 2026, conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA), following the nationwide controversy sparked by a question paper leak scandal. The exam, which serves as the gateway to medical and dental admissions across India, is being held today (Sunday, June 21) from 2:00 PM to 5:15 PM. The original examination conducted on May 3 was cancelled after a CBI investigation confirmed large-scale irregularities. Against this backdrop, the government has put in place an unprecedented, multi-layered security framework to restore the trust of students and parents.
With 2.28 million candidates appearing across exam centres in India and select international locations, more than 200,000 police and security personnel have been deployed at nearly 5,000 centres nationwide. The Indian Air Force has been roped in for the secure transportation of question papers. The NTA has made it clear that candidates must arrive at their centres between 11:00 AM and 1:30 PM, after which the gates will be shut without exception. To prevent any digital leaks, signal jammers, biometric verification, and restrictions on apps like Telegram have been enforced at all exam venues. Additionally, a staggering 1,38,560 AI-powered CCTV cameras have been installed to enable real-time monitoring directly at the national and ministerial levels.
The re-examination comes at a time of immense psychological pressure on students, many of whom suffered deep distress following the cancellation and the prolonged uncertainty that followed. The re-test is being conducted free of charge for the original pool of candidates — 1.33 million female and 950,000 male applicants. State-wise, Uttar Pradesh leads with 360,000 candidates, followed by Maharashtra with 220,000. Nationwide mock drills were also conducted in advance to ensure a smooth and transparent process free of malpractice. Candidates with disabilities have been granted additional time, with their exam extending until 6:20 PM.