Heightened Measures for Exam Security

Nervous students across India faced strict security checks on Sunday morning, including biometric identification, metal detectors, armoured patrols, and frisking at exam centres. The resit of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (Undergraduate), or NEET-UG, follows the cancellation of the original exam on 3 May due to claims that questions were leaked.

Deployment of Military and Law Enforcement

Leaving no room for error. The Indian Air Force transported the new test papers to some regions, while police and paramilitary officers were deployed at the 5,440 exam centres across the country. The National Testing Agency (NTA) said more than 1.3 million security cameras had been installed across the 95,000 exam rooms, and 51,311 jammers were being used to block phone signals and electrical interference.

Telegram, a messaging app, was temporarily blocked until Monday over concerns it could be used for cheating, though Nearly 39,000 frisking staff were employed to check for prohibited items, with 40-50 security personnel stationed at each exam centre.

India Today reported the use of drones and dog squads to monitor areas around some centres; Strict dress codes were enforced, including the banning of enclosed shoes and the removal of nose pins and wrist threads from some women. Security personnel were also seen inspecting candidates’ hair and removing earrings.

Students’ Concerns and Past Scandals

Despite the heightened security, some students remained worried about potential issues. Diksha, a student interviewed by Reuters, said the fear of leaks was ongoing. “This time [the authorities] got to know about it and are holding the exam again, which is in a way a good thing because the students who worked hard should get fair results. But to study and prepare again in one month… to stay consistent is difficult.”

The exam lasts three hours and 15 minutes and includes 180 questions on physics, chemistry, and biology. Only a small percentage of the millions who take the exam each year secure a coveted college placement. The leak allegations have been handed over to India’s Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

This is not the first time the country has faced allegations of exam fraud. In 2024, the same medical test was hit by allegations of paper leaks, fraud, and irregularities in the awarding of grace marks, triggering nationwide protests after thousands of candidates received unusually high scores.