Bharat

NEET 2026 re-exam begins amid enhanced security; Robust protocols in place to ensure transparency & curb malpractices

As the NEET re-exam commenced across the country, enhanced security protocols have been imposed to ensure fairness & transparency and also to thwart fraudulent practices. More than 22.79 lakh candidates are appearing for the examination at 5,440 centres, across 551 cities in India & at 14 international locations

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New Delhi: The NEET-UG re-examination commenced on June 21, Sunday at 2PM amid tight security at various examination centres across the country. More than 22.79 lakh candidates are eligible to appear in the examination, which is being held at 5,440 centres across 551 cities in India, as well as at 14 international locations.

Strong security apparatus deployed at examination centres

The entry for the exam centres followed a strict process with metal dectectors in place. To ensure a secure and efficient examination process, the National Testing Agency (NTA) has implemented comprehensive security and surveillance measures across the exam rooms. The rooms are equipped with CCTV cameras that are being monitored. Jammers provided by ECIL and BEL have also been deployed.

The NTA has stationed two invigilators in every room, with over ten functionaries present at each centre.
The frisking staff numbers are 38,795 and there is 48,448 biometric staff for face authentication, approximately 6,700 observers, over 100 virtual observers and an average of 40-50 security personnel per centre.

Logistical security has been prioritized through the mobilization of police, paramilitary forces, the Indian Air Force personnel and the Department of Posts employess, with all confidential materials verified at custodian banks. Authorities are conducting thorough verification and security checks to ensure a fair and smooth examination process.

Facilities for the well-being of students

The NTA has also focused on candidate welfare by providing drinking water, ORS and ambulances at centers, along with shade and seating for waiting parents. Additionally, exam rooms are equipped with wall clocks and extra rough sheets, including versions for left-handed candidates, while extended time has been allotted to offset the necessary entry formalities.

For easy waiting period, the Delhi government has set up special cooling zones to provide relief from the intense summer heat. Odisha and Uttarakhand government provided free bus travel for candidates for easy transit to the centres.

Assistant Commissioner of Police (Security-I), Indore, Priti Tiwari, highlighted the security measures for smooth conduct of examination. “The police have taken out all the materials under very tight security, with complete security and traffic arrangements in place and under the supervision of the CP, they are being safely transported to their respective centres. The area has been divided into four zones and the DCPs are monitoring and issuing instructions in all the zones”, she said.

State level control room in Dehradun

The Uttarakhand Police Headquarters has established a State-Level NTA Examination Control Room in Dehradun to ensure the fair, transparent and smooth conduct of the NEET-2026 examination.  According to officials, the control room has been set up to facilitate effective coordination and the swift exchange of information throughout the duration of the examination.

Nodal Officer Lokjeet Singh, Additional Superintendent of Police (Crime and Law & Order), along with the NTA Observer and their team, is maintaining regular communication with the State Nodal Officer, administrative officials, police personnel and state coordinators to continuously monitor every aspect of the examination process.

The Police Headquarters has further instructed all District Magistrates and Senior Superintendents of Police/Superintendents of Police across the state to immediately report any important information, suspicious activity or law-and-order-related developments to the State-Level Control Room. These measures are intended to enable prompt action in any unforeseen situation, ensuring that the integrity and security of the examination remain uncompromised at every level.

Special restrictions have been imposed under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) within a 200-metre radius of all examination centres and surrounding areas as part of the security arrangements.

Tight security across Gujarat, Chandigarh & Uttar Pradesh

Elaborate security arrangements have been put in place in Gujarat, Chandigarh and Uttar Pradesh ahead of the NEET-UG 2026 re-examination, with authorities deploying police personnel, nodal officers and surveillance teams to ensure the smooth and fair conduct of the examination.

Speaking on the arrangements, Ahemadabad DCP Zone 1 Harshad Patel said, “At the main gate, agency supervisors and staff are deployed for additional security, supported by male and female police personnel. Government agencies are working together”.

Surat administration is also fully prepared for the NEET UG 2026 re-examination to be held across 22 centres in the city following four comprehensive planning meetings, said Surat Collector Tejas Parmar on ahead of the re-test. Speaking to ANI, Parmar detailed the measures in place to ensure the smooth conduct of the examination in the city.

An Executive Magistrate is appointed at each centre alongside regular educational staff. A Deputy Collector will oversee the routes of the Duty Magistrates to maintain coordination, while police arrangements are in place to prevent any disruptions.

Similarly, in Chandigarh, Deputy Commissioner Nishant Yadav said senior officers and nodal officers had been deployed at every examination centre to oversee arrangements and ensure the examination is conducted peacefully.

Meanwhile, in Uttar Pradesh, candidates began arriving at the J P Mehta Nagar Nigam Inter College in Varanasi ahead of the NEET-UG 2026 re-examination, with security tightened outside the examination centre. Additional Police Commissioner (Law and Order) Shiv Hari Meena said the Varanasi Police had undertaken extensive preparations, including inter-departmental coordination meetings and ground inspections.

He added that special security personnel had been stationed at railway stations and bus stands, while social media was also being monitored to prevent any untoward incidents. “Students are being allowed entry only after undergoing security checks and frisking, in accordance with the prescribed safety protocols. A QR team has been constituted to handle any information received from any source”, Additional Police Commissioner Meena added.

Elaborate Security arrangements in Tamil nadu

The NEET-UG 2026 re-examination commenced in Thoothukudi on amid elaborate security arrangements, According to officials, three examination centres have been set up in Thoothukudi city for the conduct of the examination. Candidates were seen undergoing verification procedures before being allowed entry into the examination premises.

To ensure a fair and malpractice-free examination, the National Testing Agency (NTA) has implemented extensive security measures at the centres. Surveillance cameras, biometric verification systems and signal jammers have been deployed as part of the security arrangements.

Extensive security protocols in Karnataka

Candidates began arriving at the NEET-UG 2026 re-examination centre at ARG College in Davanagere, Karnataka with police enforcing elaborate security arrangements ahead of the re-examination. Speaking about the arrangements, Davanagere Superintendent of Police (SP) Shekhar H T said a total of 7,395 candidates are set to appear for the NEET examination at 13 centres across the district.

“We have made adequate arrangements for the smooth conduct of the examination. A total of one sub-inspector and 8 to 10 staff have been deployed. For frisking purposes, a separate team has been formed. We are conducting all the frisking in time”, he said.

“An intimation has been sent, what are all the materials that have to be brought inside the examination centres and which are the prohibited items. Accordingly, the frisking team is doing their job and the police is assisting. We have installed DFMD and HHMD to frisk every student going inside”, the SP added.

(With Inputs from ANI)

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