NEET UG Re-Exam 2026 Today: Over 22 Lakh Candidates To Appear Amid Tight Security After Paper Leak Row

New Delhi, June 21: More than 22 lakh medical aspirants will appear for the NEET UG 2026 re-examination on Sunday, making it one of the most closely watched entrance tests in the country. The National Testing Agency (NTA) and the Centre have put in place extensive security arrangements to restore confidence in the examination process after the paper leak controversy that led to the cancellation of the earlier exam held in May.

The NEET UG 2026 re-exam will be conducted from 2 PM to 5:15 PM. Candidates eligible for compensatory time, including persons with disabilities, will be allowed to continue until 6:20 PM. Students have been instructed to carry their admit card, a valid photo identity card and two passport-size photographs. Entry to examination centres will close at 1:30 PM. NEET UG 2026 Re-Exam Guidelines: 3 Essential Items You Must Carry On June 21.

The re-examination comes after the May 3 test was scrapped following allegations of a paper leak. The issue sparked protests across the country and demands for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The Centre defended its decision to cancel the exam, saying it chose transparency over convenience and acted to protect the integrity of the examination process.

NEET UG Re-Exam 2026: Security Measures in Place

To ensure a secure chain of custody, question papers are being airlifted by the Indian Air Force. The NTA conducted a nationwide mock drill on Saturday to test surveillance systems, biometric verification, frisking procedures and examination logistics. NEET UG 2026 Re-Exam: 'City Change Made Through Candidate’s Login', Says NTA on Abu Dhabi Centre Row.

The examination will be held at 5,440 centres across 551 cities in India and 14 centres abroad. More than 95,000 examination rooms have been equipped with CCTV surveillance. According to the NTA, 1,38,560 CCTV cameras and 51,311 signal jammers have been deployed to prevent electronic malpractice.

The agency said around 40 to 50 security personnel have been stationed at every centre. Police forces, paramilitary personnel, bank officials, postal department teams and state administrations have been involved in ensuring smooth conduct of the examination.

Enhanced Verification for Candidates

The NTA has strengthened candidate verification through biometric authentication and face recognition technology. Nearly 38,795 frisking staff and 48,448 biometric verification personnel have been deployed across centres. A Centre Systems Officer has also been assigned to every examination centre to monitor CCTV feeds and address technical issues in real time.

The agency has warned against spreading rumours and advised students and parents to rely only on official updates regarding the examination.

Nagpur Candidate's Centre Allotment Raises Questions

A day before the examination, a candidate from Nagpur claimed he had been allotted an examination centre in Abu Dhabi despite selecting centres in Maharashtra. The NTA said its investigation found that the city preference had been modified through the candidate's registered login. The agency later approved a request and allotted a centre in Nagpur, stating that no student should miss the examination due to administrative issues.

Meanwhile, political reactions continued over the controversy. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi urged the government to ensure a smooth and glitch-free examination, saying students had already faced significant stress due to the cancellation of the earlier test.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 21, 2026 07:15 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).