Millions Resit India's Medical Entrance Exam Under Heightened Security

Millions of candidates resat the NEET-UG medical entrance exam on Sunday under heightened security after the original paper was cancelled. 3 million cameras in total. It deployed 51,311 jammers to block phone signals and electrical interference and employed nearly 39,000 frisking staff across the country.

The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (Undergraduate) is required for students to join medical colleges in India. The exam runs for three hours and 15 minutes and contains 180 questions on physics, chemistry and biology. 28 million candidates sat the original test on 3 May.

The Indian Air Force transported the new test papers to some regions. Police and paramilitary officers were deployed at the 5,440 exam centres. Between 40 and 50 security personnel were stationed at every centre.

Drones and dog squads monitored areas around some sites. Biometric identification checks, metal detectors, armoured patrols and frisking were used at exam centres on Sunday morning. Strict dress codes were enforced, including a ban on enclosed shoes.

Some women were asked to remove nose pins and wrist threads. Security personnel inspected candidates' hair and removed earrings. Telegram was temporarily blocked until Monday over concerns it could be used for cheating.

The National Testing Agency advised students to ignore rumours and fake 'paper leak' messages on social media. " In 2024 the same medical test faced allegations of paper leaks, fraud and irregularities in the awarding of grace marks. Earlier this year, results for a Grade 12 exam saw many students complain about marking errors after a new digital marking system was introduced.