NEET: From the Telegram ban to the delivery of question papers via the Air Force—here is a look at the preparations made for the NEET re-exam..
NEET 2026 Re-Exam: The Central Government and the testing agency are fully prepared for the NEET-UG 2026 re-examination scheduled for June 21. Robust security measures—unprecedented in the history of examinations in India—have been implemented this time. The Indian Air Force (IAF) has been entrusted with the responsibility of transporting the question papers. Meanwhile, a temporary ban has been imposed on the Telegram app across the country to curb rumors and alleged malpractice.
Let us look in detail at the major changes and preparations officially undertaken to ensure a fair and transparent examination this time...
1. Secure delivery of question papers via the Indian Air Force
To prevent the question papers from being leaked, transportation security has been elevated to the highest level. The Indian Air Force (IAF) has been enlisted for this purpose. NEET question papers have been transported to 18 sensitive and key locations across the country via Air Force aircraft in a highly confidential manner.
2. Temporary ban on the Telegram app nationwide until June 22
The Central Government has taken a major step to curb fake claims of question paper leaks, counterfeit answer keys, and scams circulating on social media. The Telegram app has been temporarily blocked across India until June 22. NTA Director General (DG) Abhishek Singh clarified that various fraudsters were using AI and digital tools to create fake papers and extort money from students via UPI or cryptocurrency. To protect students from such scams and prevent the spread of rumors, the decision was made to keep Telegram banned until the day after the exam concludes.
3. Unprecedented security at exam centers and CCTV surveillance at every corner
All examination centers have been placed on high alert. Paramilitary forces have been deployed both inside and outside the exam centers, alongside local police and the district administration. Additionally:
Live surveillance via CCTV cameras is being conducted at all centers, with feeds linked directly to a central control room.
Vehicles transporting question paper boxes to the exam centers are equipped with GPS tracking to monitor their real-time location.
4. Change in Exam Timing (15 Minutes of Extra Time)
To facilitate the students, the NTA has extended the exam duration from 180 minutes to 195 minutes (3 hours and 15 minutes).
New Timing: The exam will now be held from 2:00 PM to 5:15 PM.
The NTA states that this extra 15 minutes compensates for the time previously spent on biometric verification and other administrative formalities, allowing students to complete the entire paper without stress.
5. Double the Pages for Rough Work and a New Layout
Students often complained about insufficient space for rough work during Physics and Chemistry calculations. This time, the number of pages for rough work in the question booklet has been increased from 2 to 4. A new feature is the placement of these pages: two appear immediately after the instructions page (at the beginning) and two at the end of the booklet, making it convenient for all students, including left-handers.
6. Multi-layer Identity Verification for Candidates
To prevent impersonators from taking the exam, several layers of security checks have been implemented:
Early Reporting: Students will be granted entry to the center only between 11:00 AM and 1:30 PM. The gates will be strictly closed at 1:30 PM.
Metal Detector Checks: Thorough frisking will be conducted before entry into the center.
Aadhaar-based Biometrics: Students' fingerprints and facial features will be verified in real-time against Aadhaar data.
7. High-level meeting between the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Education
Given the sensitive nature of the re-examination, a high-level review meeting was convened under the chairmanship of Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan. Senior officials from the NTA, as well as representatives from the Ministry of Education and various state governments, participated in the meeting. The Ministry of Home Affairs has issued clear directives that extremely strict and punitive action will be taken against anyone attempting to cause irregularities, engage in cheating, or leak the question paper.
8. Free Bus Travel for Examinees Across Seven States