An important viral video of a burqa controversy at a NEET exam centre needs to be fact checked and the truth is that the girl did not miss the exam nor did she have to leave the burqa outside.
Claim vs. Reality
Viral Claim (from ANI video and social media): A burqa-wearing candidate, Kulsum Bano from Beawar, was denied entry to a NEET UG 2026 re-exam centre in Ajmer solely because of her attire. This was portrayed as an NTA ban or discriminatory action against Muslim candidates.
#WATCH | Ajmer, Rajasthan: A Burqa-wearing candidate was allegedly denied entry at a medical entrance exam centre ahead of the NEET examination today.
A candidate, named Kulsum Bano, says, "I have come from Beawar to take the NEET exam. When I took the exam on May 3rd, I was in… pic.twitter.com/3TVNnYk52n
— ANI (@ANI) June 21, 2026
Fact: The candidate did not miss the examination. NTA did not ban burqas or similar religious attire. Local-level confusion over screening procedures caused a brief delay, which senior officials resolved by following NTA protocol. The candidate was allowed to appear after proper verification.
Police authorities and senior officials have confirmed this.
#WATCH | Ajmer, Rajasthan: CO North Shivam Joshi says, "Students were admitted strictly according to the scheduled time, and the entry gates are now closed. The issue regarding the Burqa has also been resolved. There was some lack of clarity regarding certain rules, which was… pic.twitter.com/gLAkgNRWFL
— ANI (@ANI) June 21, 2026
CO North Shivam Joshi told ANI, “Students were admitted strictly according to the scheduled time and the entry gates are now closed. The issue regarding the Burqa has also been resolved. There was some lack of clarity regarding certain rules, which was subsequently clarified by senior officials, settling the matter. Apart from this, there are no disputes at the examination centre, and all students have been admitted peacefully”.
NTA guidelines on dress code and religious attire
NTA explicitly permits customary/religious attire (including burqas, hijabs, turbans, etc.) for NEET exams, subject to conditions for security and fairness. Candidates must report well in advance for thorough frisking.
Female staff conduct checks in private for female candidates to respect dignity while ensuring no prohibited items (e.g., communication devices, metallic objects) are carried. Light clothing is advised, but full-sleeve or woollen garments and articles of faith are allowed with early reporting and screening.
This policy balances exam integrity (preventing malpractices, especially after the May 2026 paper leak issues) with religious accommodation. NTA brochure lays similar checks across communities (e.g., removal of certain jewellery, threads or accessories where needed).
What happened in Ajmer
Kulsum Bano arrived at the centre (reportedly Savitri School) wearing a burqa and dupatta. Initial resistance from local staff created a standoff; she was asked to remove parts of her attire. She gave statements to the media emphasizing her identity and prior appearance in the May 3 exam (original, later cancelled).
Resolution
Senior authorities and CO North Shivam Joshi intervened. The lack of clarity on rules was addressed, NTA protocol was followed (private security screening), and she was allowed entry. Gates closed per schedule, and the matter was settled peacefully.
This was a case of local misinterpretation or overzealous application of screening requirements, quickly corrected—not a systemic ban or policy failure.
Broader context
The June 21 re-exam followed the cancellation of the May 3 NEET UG 2026 due to a paper leak scandal. Security was heightened nationwide with multi-layer frisking.
Similar isolated incidents (e.g., in Barmer) involved strict but protocol-based checks, with candidates eventually allowed after verification.
Key takeaways
- No ban: NTA policy is clear and accommodating.
- Incident resolved: Candidate sat for the exam.
- Root cause: On-ground execution gap, not central directive.
Bengaluru’s notorious traffic jams
Meanwhile, a political rally in Malleshwaram (Bengaluru) in the Congress-governed state Karnataka, has reportedly ruined the chances of several candidates who had prepared for an entire year for the NEET exam. Today, in Bengaluru, some students who got delayed due to traffic jams made worse by political rallies were reportedly denied entry due to delay in reaching the exam centres within stipulated time. Other reports say that empathetic security officials allowed them in after due checks.
Heartbreaking to see these students in Karnataka reduced to tears after missing their NEET exam due to a political rally blocking their way. What’s done is done. Parents, please hold them close, not accountable. An exam can shape a career, but it does not define a life. There… pic.twitter.com/hyj3AYWpyZ
— Radharamn Das राधारमण दास (@RadharamnDas) June 21, 2026
Bengaluru, Karnataka: Students are seen crying after arriving late at the NEET examination centre pic.twitter.com/TYug1N9lep
— IANS (@ians_india) June 21, 2026
In stark contrast, Prime Minister Narendra Modi landed at Delhi airport at 1.15 pm but consciously and deliberately delayed exit by 45 minutes; so that NEET aspirant students do not suffer blockades due to PM convoy security protocol. As always, he displayed that the “Interest of Youth is Supreme!”
Shame on Congress!
Congress political event in Malleshwaram; Bangalore caused traffic jam; because of which Students entered late at NEET examination centre!
The officials were empathetic to students concern & allowed them to enter the hall!
But why does Congress always chose… pic.twitter.com/836DJv3IYN
— Pradeep Bhandari(प्रदीप भंडारी)🇮🇳 (@pradip103) June 21, 2026
But in the Ajmer NEET exam centre case, viral videos captured the initial drama but as always, omitted the resolution, fuelling polarization.
