New Delhi: The NEET re-examination for undergraduate medical admissions is being held today across 551 cities in India, with enhanced security measures aimed at preventing any disruption. The test is being written by more than 22.79 lakh candidates nationwide, including 1.42 lakh students from Tamil Nadu.
The National Testing Agency (NTA) had conducted this year’s NEET on May 3, but the exam was cancelled after complaints that the question paper had leaked even before the test. Following the cancellation, the NTA announced a re-exam on June 21 and prepared a fresh set of question papers.
During the probe into the alleged malpractice, it emerged that professors who were part of the exam process were involved in the fraud. For the re-exam, professors and translators engaged in question paper preparation have been housed at a secret location, and exam materials were transported to centres using Air Force aircraft and helicopters for the first time.
The NTA said multiple layers of security have been deployed, including Aadhaar-based biometric verification to prevent impersonation. CCTV cameras have been installed and linked to control rooms, while CISF and central reserve police personnel have been posted at centres. Around 6,700 observers have been appointed, with over two lakh personnel involved in overall duties.
The exam is scheduled from 2:00 pm to 5:15 pm, with an additional one hour for candidates with disabilities. Candidates have been asked to report between 11:00 am and 1:30 pm, after which entry will not be permitted. Several state governments have arranged free transport services for candidates, and limited items such as transparent water bottles are allowed, with specific allowances for candidates with diabetes.
