By AMIT KUMAR
Nearly 22 lakh students appeared for the NEET UG retest conducted under unprecedented security arrangements. While no fresh paper leak allegations emerged, incidents of students being denied entry due to late arrival and continuing protests over the examination controversy kept the spotlight on the high-stakes test.
New Delhi, June 21, 2026 — The NEET UG retest was held across the country, as almost 22 lakh medical education aspirants appeared for the examination on Sunday. A few incidents of blocked entry due to late arrivals of students cast shadow over the retest for which the government had put in extraordinary efforts.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi reportedly waited at the New Delhi airport to avoid traffic inconveniences for students. Union Minister for Education Dharmendra Pradhan monitored the NEET UG retest.
Incidents of students being not allowed to enter for late arrivals were reported from Bengaluru, Bhopal, and Hyderabad. In some case, students were seen pleading with security personnel to allow them to give the exam. In some cases, parents were seen crying after their children were stopped by the security guards.
The NEET UG retest was held under extraordinary security arrangements. No report of any paper leak was reported till Sunday evening.
The Congress and the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) continued their protests to demand resignation of Pradhan for the NEET UG paper leak and cancellation of the last year’s examination.
At some of the centres, students and parents complained of stress due to the cancellation of the examination. The students largely stated that the examination papers were moderate in difficulty levels.
The NEET UG examination has become a test of administrative efficiency of the Modi government. The controversy surrounding the paper leaks dimmed the spotlight on the 12th anniversary celebrations of the Modi government.
The CJP continued with its protests at Jantar Mantar to push for the resignation of Pradhan. The Delhi Police reportedly didn’t escalate tensions with the CJP activists as they defied to hold protests beyond the permission for the time limit.
The NEET UG examination has also reached the Supreme Court. Scores of petitions have been filed before the apex court over the alleged irregularities in the examination.
The Modi government by pressing the Indian Air Force in the conduct of the NEET UG retest has sought to wrest the optics of firmness in dealing with the alleged paper leaks mafia in the country.
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