PM Modi delays airport departure to avoid traffic disruption during NEET-UG 2026 re-exam
As more than 22 lakh candidates appeared for the NEET-UG 2026 re-examination on Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi delayed his departure from Delhi airport to avoid traffic congestion that could have affected students travelling to their examination centres.
According to reports, the Prime Minister arrived at the airport around 1:15 pm but chose to wait until after the examination began at 2 pm. The decision was taken to ensure that students heading to centres across the National Capital Region did not face additional traffic disruptions caused by the movement of a high-security convoy.
The gesture came on a day when lakhs of aspiring medical students were attempting one of the most consequential examinations of their lives. The NEET-UG 2026 re-examination is being conducted after the National Testing Agency (NTA) cancelled the original May 3 test following allegations of a question paper leak.
Students at the centre of attention
The re-test has drawn nationwide attention after weeks of controversy surrounding the integrity of the examination process. For candidates, Sunday represented a second opportunity after months of preparation were thrown into uncertainty by the cancellation of the earlier exam.
Against this backdrop, ensuring that students reached their centres without delays became a major priority. The Prime Minister's decision to postpone his departure was seen as an effort to prevent any disruption during the critical reporting period.
Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar praised the move, describing it as an example of responsibility and concern towards citizens, particularly students appearing for a high-stakes national examination .
Massive security operation for re-examination
The NTA has rolled out one of the largest security arrangements ever seen for a national entrance examination to ensure that the re-test is conducted without irregularities.
Candidates are being allowed entry only after undergoing strict frisking procedures, including metal detector checks. Examination halls are under CCTV surveillance, while electronic signal jammers supplied by government agencies have been installed to prevent digital malpractice.
Each examination room is being monitored by two invigilators, and more than ten officials have been deployed at every centre to oversee the conduct of the test.
Thousands deployed across the countryTo strengthen security, the NTA has deployed 38,795 frisking personnel and 48,448 biometric staff members for face authentication and verification. Around 6,700 observers and more than 100 virtual observers are also monitoring the examination process.
On average, every examination centre has been provided with 40 to 50 security personnel.
Authorities have also involved police forces, paramilitary units, the Indian Air Force and the Department of Posts in the transportation and protection of confidential examination materials, underscoring the scale of the operation.
Welfare measures for candidates
According to reports, the Prime Minister arrived at the airport around 1:15 pm but chose to wait until after the examination began at 2 pm. The decision was taken to ensure that students heading to centres across the National Capital Region did not face additional traffic disruptions caused by the movement of a high-security convoy.
The gesture came on a day when lakhs of aspiring medical students were attempting one of the most consequential examinations of their lives. The NEET-UG 2026 re-examination is being conducted after the National Testing Agency (NTA) cancelled the original May 3 test following allegations of a question paper leak.
Students at the centre of attention
The re-test has drawn nationwide attention after weeks of controversy surrounding the integrity of the examination process. For candidates, Sunday represented a second opportunity after months of preparation were thrown into uncertainty by the cancellation of the earlier exam.
Against this backdrop, ensuring that students reached their centres without delays became a major priority. The Prime Minister's decision to postpone his departure was seen as an effort to prevent any disruption during the critical reporting period.
Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar praised the move, describing it as an example of responsibility and concern towards citizens, particularly students appearing for a high-stakes national examination .
Massive security operation for re-examination
The NTA has rolled out one of the largest security arrangements ever seen for a national entrance examination to ensure that the re-test is conducted without irregularities.
Candidates are being allowed entry only after undergoing strict frisking procedures, including metal detector checks. Examination halls are under CCTV surveillance, while electronic signal jammers supplied by government agencies have been installed to prevent digital malpractice.
Each examination room is being monitored by two invigilators, and more than ten officials have been deployed at every centre to oversee the conduct of the test.
Thousands deployed across the countryTo strengthen security, the NTA has deployed 38,795 frisking personnel and 48,448 biometric staff members for face authentication and verification. Around 6,700 observers and more than 100 virtual observers are also monitoring the examination process.
On average, every examination centre has been provided with 40 to 50 security personnel.
Authorities have also involved police forces, paramilitary units, the Indian Air Force and the Department of Posts in the transportation and protection of confidential examination materials, underscoring the scale of the operation.
Welfare measures for candidates
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