K Annamalai, who recently left the BJP, expressed his concerns on Tuesday regarding the extensive security protocols planned for the NEET-UG 2026 re-examination set for June 21. He argues that these measures may inadvertently increase stress for students and lead to additional complications.
Taking to social media platform X, Annamalai criticized the government’s approach to security, stating that while efforts to prevent examination leaks are commendable, they overlook the pressure placed on students preparing for an assessment they have dedicated months to. He emphasized that this approach undermines the educational system’s purpose and contradicts the objectives of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which aims to alleviate exam-related stress.
Annamalai outlined the security measures planned for the exam, which include a two-tier security escort by the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), airlift support from the Indian Air Force, advanced CCTV surveillance with artificial intelligence, biometric and facial recognition checks, multiple layers of frisking, and extensive oversight directly monitored by the Prime Minister’s Office. He noted that these arrangements, while intended to enhance security, could exacerbate exam pressure for students.
While acknowledging the need for measures to prevent paper leaks, Annamalai pointed out that the increased scrutiny at examination venues, extended frisking procedures, and an increase in exam duration from 180 minutes to 195 minutes may contribute to heightened stress for candidates.
He also raised concerns about difficulties students faced in downloading their admit cards, despite assurances from the National Testing Agency (NTA) that these issues would be resolved promptly. Annamalai urged that while challenges exist, the current approach to the NEET retest may not effectively address these issues and could potentially create new ones.
The NEET-UG 2026 re-examination is scheduled to take place on June 21, from 2 PM to 5 PM, and will be conducted by the NTA. In preparation for the event, the government has mandated a two-layer security system for the transport and handling of sensitive examination materials, including question papers and OMR answer sheets. This material will be moved from central hubs in Hyderabad and Ahmedabad to approximately 551 cities across India using a hub-and-spoke system via air and road transport.
In a related development, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has blocked access to the messaging platform Telegram in India until June 22 and has directed the platform to disable its message-editing feature until June 30. This action is aimed at preventing organized cheating ahead of the NEET-UG 2026 re-examination.
The NTA welcomed this move, stating that it was made on their recommendation. The restrictions, enacted under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000, are intended to maintain public order in response to the misuse of Telegram by cheating syndicates targeting NEET candidates.
The NTA clarified that the measures are designed to combat the manipulation of the platform to create false evidence of paper leaks in national examinations. The NEET (UG) 2026 exam, originally conducted on May 3, faced cancellation due to allegations of irregularities, resulting in the re-examination scheduled for June 21. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is currently investigating the leak and has apprehended 13 individuals, including three paper setters, for their involvement in the scandal.
