New Delhi: The National Eligibility-Entrance Test Undergraduate (NEET UG) 2026 re-examination concluded smoothly across the country on Sunday, with the National Testing Agency (NTA) reporting no complaints related to question paper leaks or major disruptions.

More than 22 lakh candidates appeared for the examination on June 21 at 5,440 centres across India and 14 centres abroad, from 2:00 PM to 5:15 PM (IST) in pen-and-paper mode, which was conducted under one of the strictest security arrangements ever seen for a national entrance test.

The NEET UG 2026 examination was conducted on May 3 by the National Testing Agency. However, on May 12, 2026, the NTA declared the examination held on May 3 cancelled and subsequently announced a re-examination on June 21, 2026.

This came in the backdrop of the probe by the Rajasthan Police Special Operations Group, which reportedly found a “guess paper” containing more than 100 questions similar to those asked in the NEET UG examination. The question paper series under scrutiny has been described as a “guess paper” which reportedly contained around 410 questions. Out of these, nearly 120 questions are alleged to have appeared in the Biology and Chemistry sections of the examination.

In the aftermath of the exam cancellation, protests were held, with aspirants and members of the medical fraternity blaming NTA and the Education Ministry for the failure.

Due to the alleged controversy, the central government decided to refer the matter to the Central Bureau of Investigation for a comprehensive inquiry into the allegations. Based on the centre's direction, the CBI registered an FIR in the case and has so far arrested 13 people.

The NEET re-exam question paper had 180 questions for a total of 720 marks. As per the NEET 2026 marking scheme, candidates will be awarded 4 marks for each correct answer, while 1 mark will be deducted for every incorrect response. No marks will be awarded or deducted for unattempted questions.

Initial feedback from students indicated that the paper was of moderate difficulty, with many questions reported to be outside the prescribed syllabus. However, many candidates described the re-exam as tougher than the original May 3 examination, leading to uncertainty regarding the final results and cutoff trends.

Biology was largely considered straightforward and NCERT-based, while Physics was viewed as comparatively tougher and longer. Chemistry was reported to be balanced.

According to a report by TOI, many students walked out of examination centres saying the paper was more challenging than expected, particularly the Physics section. Based on preliminary analysis, experts and aspirants expect the cutoff to be lower. 

Although the prospect of appearing for the exam again initially caused anxiety among aspirants, many candidates later said the re-examination strengthened their confidence in the fairness and transparency of the process.

Students from Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Kerala, and Jammu and Kashmir said the overall paper was tougher than the earlier attempt, though experiences varied depending on subject strengths.

While some found the exam moderate and manageable, others said it tested time management and preparation levels, particularly in Physics.

Feedback

A 17-year-old aspirant who hopes to pursue a career in medicine and is also interested in medical research said, "This was quite tough. It felt like a 2025-level paper. I think the cut-offs will be lower this time because of the difficulty level."

He said that although the cancellation of the earlier exam had initially come as a shock, he eventually viewed it differently. "I took the cancellation in a positive way. There is more satisfaction this time. It feels better because the exam was conducted properly and everyone got a fair chance," he said.

Speaking to ANI, a student from Chennai said, "Biology was okay. Physics and Chemistry were tough. The first NEET examination was easy; this was tougher."

Another 17-year-old candidate told TOI, "Physics was especially challenging and time-consuming. Many candidates coming out of the centre were discussing how tough the paper was."

An aspirant from Chandigarh said, "The questions were not impossible, but they required a lot of thinking. Time management became a major challenge, especially in Physics."

Another candidate felt the paper favoured students with strong conceptual clarity. "It was not a paper where you could rely only on memorisation. You had to understand concepts well. Biology was manageable, but Physics and parts of Chemistry required careful analysis," he said.

A candidate from West Bengal said, "The exam was good. Biology was easy, and Physics and Chemistry were moderate. It was better last time."

From Thiruvananthapuram, a candidate said, "The exam was tough, from moderate to tough. Physics was tough. Chemistry was doable but time-consuming, and Biology was doable."

A candidate from Jammu and Kashmir said, "The paper was very good. My preparation was good. Only Physics was a little difficult. Overall, it was a good experience."

Another candidate from Ranchi said, "The exam was easy to moderate. Biology was easier, Chemistry was moderate, and Physics was tougher than last time."

A candidate from Chennai, said, "I did well but let's see. The exam was tougher than last time."

One more student said, "It was a little harder than last time. It was my first attempt, and I expect around 500 marks. The arrangements inside were fine."

A candidate from Indore, said, "My exam went well... The exam was moderate. The biology exam was good. Physics was lengthy, but it was manageable..."

Candidate from Pune, Maharashtra said, "The exam was easy... Physics was tough. It was formula-based... There was more checking and frisking this time. A metal detector was used..."

No complaints of paper leak so far

Responding to questions about possible irregularities, the Director General of the National Testing Agency (NTA), Abhishek Singh, told ANI that NTA had not received any complaints or emails regarding a question paper leak.

"Not so far. But NTA is working aggressively in order to ensure the integrity of the process. We are 100 per cent confident. We are 100 per cent confident about the whole process this time," he said.

He added that the agency had taken extensive measures to safeguard the examination process and expressed full confidence in the security framework put in place for the re-examination.

LARGE-SCALE MOBILISATION AND COORDINATED EFFECT

The conduct of the NEET (UG) 2026 Re-Examination involved close coordination across multiple agencies and levels of administration-

1 674 City Coordinators overseeing city-level operations.

2 6,669 Observers deployed for independent oversight at examination centres.

3 Centre Superintendents and Invigilators at every examination centre.

4 District Administrations, Police Forces and Escort Teams, particularly for the secure transportation of confidential materials.

In all, over 2 lakh personnel have been mobilised to ensure the smooth and fair conduct of the re-examination for 22.79 lakh candidates.

SECURITY AND MONITORING FRAMEWORK

NTA had put in place a multi-layered security framework to ensure a fair and transparent examination-

1 End-to-end secure handling of confidential materials to designated locations under sealed protocols.

2 GPS-enabled vehicles with police escort for the movement of examination materials.

3 CCTV surveillance at all examination centres, with feeds linked to centralised control rooms.

4 Mandatory frisking through high-sensitivity metal detectors before entry, with strengthened manpower and equipment at every centre.

5 Aadhaar-based biometric authentication to prevent impersonation.

6 Real-time monitoring through centralised control systems.

Active monitoring of social media platforms is being undertaken to curb misinformation and prevent malpractice. NTA has filed complaints with cybercrime authorities, including I4C/MHA and CBI. Strict action is being taken against all those involved.

PROVISION OF BIOMETRIC VERIFICATION EXCEPTIONS

Per NTA's advisory, candidates whose biometric verification cannot be completed at the examination centre due to technical malfunction of devices, poor fingerprint quality, UIDAI connectivity issues, or any physical inability will not be denied entry to the examination hall.

Such candidates were required to sign a written undertaking-the format of which will be made available at the centre with the Centre Superintendent or Observer-and will then be permitted to write the examination without disturbance. Manual identity verification will be carried out using valid documents.

CANDIDATE-CENTRIC FACILITATION MEASURES

In view of the large candidate volume and prevailing summer conditions, NTA ensured the following arrangements at every examination centre-

1 Reliable power back-up, including generators, at all centres.

2 Adequate electricity, lighting and fans to ensure candidate comfort during the afternoon shift.

3 Wall clock is provided in the examination room for the benefit of candidates to be able to track time.

4 Drinking water, sanitation and on-site medical support.

5 Candidates may carry a Transparent Water Bottle.

6 Additional biometric machines and trained personnel were deployed to expedite verification.

7 Diabetic candidates permitted to carry sugar tablets and fruits (banana, apple, orange) with a transparent water bottle, in line with NTA guidelines.

8 Travel and weather advisories are issued in advance, urging candidates to plan travel early and verify centre addresses from the admit card.