NEW DELHI: Millions of medical aspirants across India retook the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test for undergraduate courses on Sunday under unprecedented security after the previous exam was cancelled over allegations of a paper leak.
The NEET-UG exam is required for admission to medical colleges in India and is one of the country’s most competitive entrance tests. Nearly 2.28 million candidates had taken the earlier exam on May 3 before it was scrapped following leak allegations.
Strict security measures
Authorities deployed biometric identification, metal detectors, CCTV cameras, armoured patrols and frisking teams at exam centres. Police and paramilitary personnel were stationed across 5,440 centres, while the Indian Air Force transported new test papers to some regions.
The National Testing Agency said more than 95,000 exam rooms had been fitted with security cameras, with over 1.3 million cameras installed in total. It also said 51,311 jammers were used to block phone signals and electronic interference.
Nearly 39,000 frisking staff were deployed nationwide, with 40 to 50 security personnel assigned to each exam centre.
Students seek fair results
Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan urged students to sit the exam without fear, assuring them they would do well.
Some students said they remained anxious after the earlier cancellation but welcomed the retest as a step towards fairness for hardworking candidates.
The leak is being investigated by India’s Central Bureau of Investigation.
