GUWAHATI: The National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test Undergraduate (NEET-UG) 2026 re-examination is being conducted across the country on Sunday, June 21, with more than 22.79 lakh candidates appearing at 5,440 centres spread across 551 cities in India and 14 overseas locations.
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The re-test is being held amid heightened scrutiny following allegations of irregularities in the earlier examination. Authorities have put in place extensive security measures, including CCTV surveillance, signal jammers, strict frisking protocols and multi-layer police deployment at examination centres.
Intelligence units and cyber monitoring teams have also been activated to monitor suspicious activities and misinformation on social media platforms. Security personnel have been tasked with the safe transportation of question papers and answer sheets, while traffic management and candidate assistance arrangements have been made in several cities.
The National Testing Agency (NTA) expressed confidence that all preparations had been completed for the smooth conduct of the examination.
In a post on X, the agency encouraged candidates, stating, “This is the day you've prepared for. Stay calm, trust yourself, and give it your best — you've earned this moment. You've got this. We're rooting for you.”
The NTA also reiterated examination-day guidelines. Entry to centres began at 11 AM, while gates were scheduled to close at 1:30 PM. Candidates arriving after the deadline will not be allowed to enter the examination halls.
Candidates were instructed to carry their admit cards, valid photo identification and two passport-sized photographs. The agency also advised aspirants to avoid carrying prohibited items, remain hydrated, account for possible traffic delays and reach their centres well before the reporting time.
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan extended his wishes to students appearing for the examination.
"NEET-UG re-examination is going to take place today. I have complete faith in the NTA, all the state governments, the district administrations, the Indian education sector, and especially in India's students. Nearly 22 lakh students will be taking the NEET exam shortly. Sit fearlessly, without worry, and you will definitely do well. This is my best wish to the students. They have faith in India's system and will continue to have it. May this unwavering faith remain”, the minister said.
“On this occasion, as a parent, as a social worker, I request you: Please do not jeopardise the future of India's new generation. Let no one make a mockery of it. Let us not do anything that will impact the mental health of the children”, he said.
According to the NTA, 38,795 frisking personnel and 48,448 biometric verification staff have been deployed across examination centres.
Biometric verification manpower has been doubled and supplemented with face authentication systems to strengthen security while
reducing waiting times.
Each examination room is being supervised by two invigilators, while every centre has more than 10 additional examination functionaries. A Centre Systems Officer has also been deployed at every venue to monitor CCTV feeds and address technical issues in real time.
The agency said around 6,700 observers have been stationed at centres, while more than 100 virtual observers are monitoring CCTV footage centrally. Artificial intelligence-based tools are also being used to analyse surveillance footage and flag suspicious activities.
The re-examination comes weeks after the original NEET-UG exam, conducted on May 3, was cancelled following allegations of a paper leak. The controversy had sparked protests, legal challenges and demands for accountability from various quarters.
