NTA steps up security for NEET-UG 2026 re-exam on June 21 amid paper-leak concerns

NEET UG 2026 On June 21: With more than 22 lakh candidates set to appear for NEET UG 2026 on Sunday, the National Testing Agency (NTA) has rolled out one of the most extensive examination security operations ever undertaken for a national entrance test. NEET (UG) 2026 - NTA is ready for tomorrow, 21 June.After meticulous preparation, the National Testing Agency has put in place comprehensive arrangements for a fair, secure and candidate-friendly examination - across 5,440 centres in 551 cities in India and 14 centres…— National Testing Agency (@NTA_Exams) June 20, 2026A day before the examination, the agency announced that elaborate security, surveillance and candidate-support arrangements have been put in place across 5,440 examination centres in 551 cities across India and 14 overseas centres. The examination will be conducted in English and 12 Indian languages.The move comes amid heightened scrutiny of entrance examinations and concerns over paper leaks in recent years. NTA said the preparations are aimed at ensuring a fair, secure and candidate-friendly examination environment.Massive surveillance network in placeSecurity plan is a nationwide CCTV monitoring system covering every examination room.According to NTA, the examination will be conducted in more than 95,000 rooms, each equipped with CCTV cameras. In total, 1,38,560 CCTV cameras have been installed and are being monitored live at the national, state and ministry levels.Adding another layer of oversight, the agency has deployed artificial intelligence-based tools to analyse live CCTV feeds and flag suspicious activity in real time.Security and surveillance at a glanceMore than 95,000 examination rooms1,38,560 CCTV cameras installedLive monitoring at National, State and Ministry levelsAI-based CCTV analysis system51,311 signal jammers deployed nationwideTo prevent electronic malpractice, 51,311 jammers have been installed across centres, including 17,054 supplied by ECIL and 34,257 by BEL.Over 87,000 personnel for verification and securityThe NTA has also significantly expanded manpower deployment for candidate verification and examination monitoring.Each examination room will have two invigilators, while every centre will have more than ten additional functionaries handling various operational responsibilities.Examination-day personnel38,795 frisking staff48,448 biometric verification personnelFace authentication support systemsAround 6,700 observersMore than 100 virtual observersOne Centre Systems Officer at every centreOfficials said biometric verification staff have been doubled this year to ensure thorough identity checks while reducing waiting time at entry points.Police, paramilitary and agencies mobilisedThe examination security plan extends beyond examination centres.NTA said state administrations, police departments, paramilitary forces, the Indian Air Force and the Department of Posts have all been mobilised to support the conduct of the examination.On average, each centre will have 40 to 50 security personnel deployed.The agency also coordinated with approximately 1,500 bank branches responsible for safeguarding confidential examination material. Meanwhile, the Department of Posts will oversee the collection of OMR sheets from nearly 700 collection centres across the country.A nationwide mock drill was conducted on June 20 to test CCTV systems, jammers, biometric verification processes and frisking arrangements before the examination.Candidate-friendly measures introducedAlongside the security arrangements, NTA has introduced several facilities aimed at improving the examination-day experience for students and parents.In coordination with state governments, centres have been equipped with drinking water facilities, ORS, ambulances and shaded waiting areas for parents.Facilities available at centresDrinking waterORS supportAmbulancesShaded waiting areas for parentsWall clock in every examination roomAdditional rough-work pagesSpecial rough-work arrangement for left-handed candidatesThe agency said extra rough-work sheets have been provided, including pages placed at the beginning of the booklet to improve convenience for left-handed students.An extended examination window has also been introduced to compensate for the additional time required for security checks and verification procedures.Examination detailsImportant dates and timingsExamination date: June 21, 2026Examination centres: 5,440 across IndiaCities covered: 551 in India and 14 overseas locationsLanguages: English and 12 Indian languagesCandidates expected: More than 22 lakhNTA warns against fake claimsThe agency has also appealed to candidates and parents to ignore rumours circulating on social media.According to NTA, teams are closely monitoring online platforms and taking action against individuals spreading misinformation or false claims related to paper leaks.Officials said such rumours often create unnecessary panic and stress among students ahead of major examinations.Candidates have been advised to rely only on official announcements issued through NTA's website and verified communication channels.'We are ready': NTA's message to aspirantsAs the country prepares for one of its largest entrance examinations, the NTA said all systems have been tested and verified ahead of exam day.In its message to candidates, NTA wished the more than 22 lakh aspirants appearing on Sunday "calm, confidence and their very best," adding that the entire examination machinery is ready to ensure a smooth and secure conduct of NEET UG 2026.

New Delhi: The National Testing Agency (NTA) will conduct a nationwide mock drill on Saturday (June 20) ahead of the NEET-UG 2026 re-examination scheduled for June 21, as part of its standard preparedness exercise before the examination.Meanwhile, Odisha Police have put in place extensive security arrangements for the re-examination, which will be conducted at 132 centres across 27 districts in the state.Speaking to ANI, Odisha ADG (Law and Order) Sanjay Kumar said clear instructions had been issued by both the Central and State governments to eliminate any possibility of malpractice or sabotage during the examination."NEET re-exam is going to be held on June 21. This time, we have made extensive arrangements for it. The instructions from the Central Government and the State Government have come very clearly: if there is any possibility of malpractice or sabotage, it should be eliminated," Kumar said.NEET-UG Re-Exam 2026: Three-Hour Biometric And Frisking Process Mandated He said the question papers had safely reached their designated locations and security personnel had been deployed to safeguard them."The question papers have arrived at their designated locations safely. Our squads have been deployed. We also have some CAPF squads. They have been deployed at our designated secure locations," he said.Kumar further said that preparations had been completed for all 132 centres and that a nodal officer had been appointed to oversee the arrangements."Security audits have been conducted at all our examination centres. All Superintendents have been instructed to have a senior officer in charge of each centre. They will inspect it thoroughly. We have 132 centres in 27 districts across Odisha, for which preparations have been fully completed. Our nodal officer has been appointed. Overall, I am personally overseeing the situation," he said.The re-examination comes amid continuing political criticism over the alleged NEET paper leak.NEET UG 2026 Re-Exam: How To Spot Fake WhatsApp Messages From Real NTA Alerts & How To Download Your Admit Card Safely Rajasthan Pradesh Congress Committee President Govind Singh Dotasra, while speaking to ANI, alleged that the NEET paper was leaked by people at the NTA who were close associates of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan."What the government is doing is nothing but a charade. The NEET paper was leaked by people at NTA who were Dharmendra Pradhan's close associates... This isn't a logistical problem," Dotasra said.He further questioned the paper-making system, "The problem lies in their paper-making system itself. When your paper-making system has collapsed, why are you talking so much? Why are you shutting down Telegram?"Similarly, Rajasthan Leader of Opposition Tika Ram Jully alleged that those involved in the paper leak were linked to the BJP."The government has failed. Children are dying by suicide. They are depressed.... Rahul Gandhi raised the voice of the students, asking how the money people pay to coaching institutes is more than India's education budget... Those who leaked the paper are from the BJP itself. Those who were appointed to the NTA by Dharmendra Pradhan... When the army is supposed to handle all this, what are you doing? This is the government's responsibility, isn't it?" he asked.Indore DAVV Exams Postponed As Admin Prioritises NEET-UG Arrangements Separately, the Delhi High Court on Friday upheld the Centre's decision to temporarily block Telegram ahead of the NEET-UG 2026 re-examination, observing that the platform's architecture enables rapid amplification of unlawful content and that narrower measures had failed to curb misuse linked to examination fraud.Commenting on the same, Secretary of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), S Krishnan said, "Telegram issue is a matter where the court has passed an order."Further on the government's request to ICAN for on-route service, Krishnan said the government has been pushing for a root server to be located in India to support the country's large internet user base.NEET UG Re-Exam 2026: GPS Tracking To Aadhaar Checks; NTA Deploys 2 Lakh Personnel, Biometric Verification & CCTV Monitoring For 22.79 Lakh Candidates "We have been pushing for locating a root server in India, given the number of people who use the internet and in terms of long-term resilience of the internet system itself. It is a long-drawn process. There are other ways in which we are making sure that adequate memory is there. Mirror sites are there. We are building resilience," he said.On artificial intelligence guidelines, Krishnan said discussions on the draft AI guidelines were continuing."That draft has been shared. We are working on various elements of it. It's also a fast-evolving space and we now have the AI governance group. So that will meet, and when they meet, they will take stock," he added. (Except for the headline, this article has not been edited by FPJ's editorial team and is auto-generated from an agency feed.)

Jaipur: As India tightened restrictions on Telegram amid concerns over the NEET-UG re-examination, Rajasthan Police arrested a 19-year-old student from Bhilwara for selling fake question papers through a Telegram channel named 'Paper Mafia'. Operating through a US-based VPN and proxy network to conceal his identity, the accused allegedly charged aspirants Rs 4,000 per paper.URGENT ALERT! A Telegram channel named "PAPER MAFIA" is scamming students by claiming to sell the Re-NEET 21 June 2026 paper for ₹4000. They are sending password-protected PDFs and taking money via UPI. immediately freeze this bank account and arrest the culprit behind this pic.twitter.com/9h2OvRgykB— Prabhakar Jha (@Prabh_2306) June 18, 2026 Arrest ahead of retestThe accused has been arrested just three days before the retest scheduled for June 21. Bhilwara Police confirmed that a 19-year-old student was arrested for allegedly selling fake question papers through a Telegram channel named 'Paper Mafia'. Rajasthan/ BhilwaraFake NEET-UG 2026 ‘Leak Paper’ Racket Busted in Rajasthan’s BhilwaraAhead of RE-NEET UG 2026, police in Bhilwara, Rajasthan, arrested a youth identified as Akash Chaudhary for allegedly creating and selling fake leaked question papers on Telegram.… pic.twitter.com/ZJ0MQIEhHP— Atulkrishan (@iAtulKrishan1) June 19, 2026 Acting on intelligence inputs received from Delhi, police raided his residence in Patel Nagar and detained him in the early hours of Friday.Telegram fraud operationAccording to investigators, the accused, Akash Choudhary, was operating the Telegram channel using a US-based VPN and proxy network to conceal his identity. Police said the channel had around 52 members, and he allegedly charged Rs 4,000 per paper, collecting payments through QR code transfers. Choudhary, who is currently preparing for competitive examinations in Jaipur, allegedly created and circulated fake question papers by scanning pages from NEET preparation books and passing them off as genuine examination papers.Mumbai Special Court Grants 4-Day Temporary Bail To 18-Year-Old Rape Accused To Appear For NEET Retest Amid Strict Conditions Police action and raidPolice recovered a mobile phone, NEET study material, and several documents during the raid. Authorities are now examining his bank transactions, digital footprint, and possible links to a wider fraud network. Pratap Nagar SHO Sunil Tada said the Special Branch received information through the Government of India's S-Make portal regarding suspicious social media activity linked to alleged paper leaks. Simultaneously, the District Special Team (DST) received intelligence that a youth in Patel Nagar was selling fake 'Re-NEET papers' online. Following verification, police conducted a raid and took the accused into custody.NEET UG 2026 Re-Exam: How To Spot Fake WhatsApp Messages From Real NTA Alerts & How To Download Your Admit Card Safely Background and originChoudhary's family originally hails from the Rawatsar area of Rajasthan's Churu district and has been living in Bhilwara for nearly 25 years. After completing his schooling in Bhilwara, Akash moved to Jaipur for competitive exam preparation and reportedly returned home only two days before his arrest.Legal action and investigationPolice have registered a case under charges of cheating, selling fake examination papers, provisions of the IT Act, and the Public Examination Act. Western Railway To Run Special Trains For NEET Candidates On June 20; Check Route & Timings Across Madhya Pradesh Investigators are now trying to determine how many candidates may have been duped, the amount of money involved, and whether other individuals were part of the operation.Telegram scrutiny and NEET contextAuthorities said Telegram was allegedly being misused to spread rumours and facilitate examination-related fraud. The platform has been under heightened scrutiny following the NEET paper leak controversy. According to officials, restrictions related to Telegram's use in connection with the NEET UG retest will remain in force until June 22, while certain platform features, including message editing, have also been temporarily restricted. Delhi High Court Upholds Temporary Ban On Telegram During NEET UG 2026 Re- ExamNMC (National Medical Commission) issues advisory to all medical colleges ahead of NEET UG 2026 re-exam on 21 June.Colleges have been directed to remain vigilant, counsel students against unfair practices, and avoid granting leave on 20–21 June except in exceptional cases to… pic.twitter.com/BI234rlrbg— ANI (@ANI) June 19, 2026 The original NEET-UG examination was conducted nationwide on May 3. Allegations of paper leaks and candidates receiving advance access to question papers surfaced from multiple states. Following an investigation, the National Testing Agency (NTA) cancelled the examination on May 12 and ordered a re-examination after consultations with the Central government and investigating agencies.(Except for the headline, this article has not been edited by FPJ's editorial team and is auto-generated from an agency feed.)

With the NEET UG 2026 re-examination just two days away, the National Testing Agency has turned to an unusual channel to reach over a million anxious candidate - WhatsApp. But the move has come with a sharp warning attached, because scammers are already exploiting the same platform to target students. Here's a tech-side breakdown of what's official, what's fake, and how to tell the difference.Why NTA is using WhatsApp for NEET UG 2026 announcements?Ahead of the re-exam scheduled for June 21, NTA has started sending reminder SMS messages, emails, and WhatsApp notifications urging candidates to download their admit cards, while simultaneously cautioning them against fraudulent messages and fake communications. The original NEET-UG exam, held on May 3, was cancelled on May 12 following allegations of a paper leak, a controversy the CBI is still investigating. That backdrop is precisely why this WhatsApp rollout matters. With so much anxiety already swirling around the exam, fraudsters have a ready-made audience to target.How to identify a genuine NTA message?This is the part students need to get right. NTA has clarified that genuine WhatsApp messages will only arrive from its verified number, +91 78279 80287, which displays a blue verification tick alongside the name "National Testing Agency." Any account using the NTA name without that blue tick should be treated as suspicious and ignored.Equally important: NTA's WhatsApp service is strictly broadcast-only, meaning candidates are not expected to reply to anything they receive on it. That single detail is a useful litmus test. If a message on WhatsApp is asking you to respond, click through to a link, or share information, it's already behaving differently from how the real channel works. NEET (UG) 2026 — Official WhatsApp UpdatesNTA is now sending exam updates & centre information to candidates directly on WhatsApp for the re-examination on Sunday, 21 June 2026.How to know it's really us:✅ Only from our verified account: +91 78279 80287✅ Look for the…— National Testing Agency (@NTA_Exams) June 19, 2026 Red flags that scream 'scam'Officials have been explicit about what the agency will never ask for. Candidates have been told that NTA will never request OTPs, personal banking details, or payments through any message . The agency has specifically warned candidates not to share OTPs, personal details, or make payments in response to messages claiming to be from NTA.Beyond WhatsApp, fraud attempts have spread to other platforms too. Fraudulent Telegram channels have reportedly asked students for amounts ranging from Rs. 14,000 to Rs. 25,000, with some scammers demanding as much as Rs. 10 lakh in exchange for fake promises of leaked papers, and officials have stressed that students who hand over admit cards, WhatsApp numbers, or personal details to such channels risk further exploitation, since money sent to scammers is typically unrecoverable. NTA has reiterated there is no leaked paper in circulation, and that no individual or platform has legitimate access to the re-test's question content.A simple checklist for students:- No blue tick on WhatsApp? Don't trust it.- Being asked to reply, click a link, or verify details? It's not the real channel.- Anyone offering 'leaked papers' for money is running a scam.- Don't forward suspicious messages to friends; report them instead.How to download your NEET UG 2026 admit card?For something this important, the safest route is also the simplest. Candidates should download their admit card only from the official website, neet.nta.nic.in, since the earlier May 3 admit card is no longer valid for the re-exam. NTA has also advised students to type out the website address manually rather than tapping links shared via SMS, email, or social media. This is a basic but effective way to avoid landing on a lookalike phishing page.Demand for the re-issued admit card has been significant. More than 10 lakh students have already downloaded their re-NEET UG admit card for 2026.It is clarified that those who have already downloaded their Admit Cards for the 21st June NEET UG Examination need not do it again. The SMS/Email/WhatsApp messages are primarily for those students who are yet to download their new Admit Cards. The 3rd May Admit Cards won't be…— National Testing Agency (@NTA_Exams) June 19, 2026 What to do if something looks off?NTA has also built a dedicated reporting mechanism for this exact situation. The agency has launched an online facility allowing students, parents, coaching institutes, and the general public to report suspicious claims or fraudulent activity related to the re-NEET question paper, accessible at innovateindia.mygov.in/neet-ug-2026. If a message, channel, or website feels even slightly off - wrong number, no verification badge, unsolicited payment request - that portal is where it should be flagged, rather than acted upon.It is clear that NTA trusts WhatsApp more than Telegram. Whether all of these preventive measures will be fruitful for a seamless examination or not, devoid of any leaks, remains to be seen.

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has said it is fully prepared to conduct the NEET (UG) 2026 re-examination on June 21, with an extensive administrative and security framework put in place for more than 22.79 lakh candidates expected to appear for the country's largest undergraduate medical entrance test.Exam schedule and scaleThe examination will be held in pen-and-paper mode from 2 pm to 5.15 pm across 551 cities in India and 14 cities overseas. Candidates eligible for compensatory time under the Persons with Disabilities (PwD/PwBD) category will be allowed to continue writing until 6.20 pm.The announcement comes amid heightened scrutiny over examination security and the spread of misinformation online, prompting authorities to deploy additional safeguards and personnel across the country.More than two lakh personnel mobilisedAccording to NTA, the re-examination involves one of the largest coordinated examination exercises in the country.A total of 674 city coordinators have been assigned to supervise operations at the city level, while 6,669 observers have been deployed to independently monitor examination centres. Centre superintendents, invigilators, district administrations, police personnel and escort teams will also be involved in the conduct of the examination.In all, over two lakh personnel have been mobilised to ensure the smooth and fair conduct of the test.The agency said the arrangements have been made in coordination with state governments, district authorities and law enforcement agencies.Multi-layer security system in placeTo prevent malpractice and ensure transparency, NTA has introduced multiple layers of security for the examination.Question papers and other confidential materials will be transported under sealed protocols using GPS-enabled vehicles accompanied by police escorts. Examination centres will remain under CCTV surveillance, with live feeds connected to central monitoring systems.Candidates will undergo mandatory frisking using high-sensitivity metal detectors before entering examination venues. Aadhaar-based biometric authentication will also be used to prevent impersonation.The agency said social media platforms are being actively monitored to identify and curb the spread of rumours, fake information and attempts to compromise the examination process.NTA added that complaints have already been filed with cyber-crime agencies, including the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) under the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), against individuals involved in spreading misleading content or engaging in illegal activities related to the examination.No candidate to be denied entry over biometric issuesThe agency clarified that candidates facing biometric verification problems due to technical failures, poor fingerprint quality, connectivity issues with UIDAI servers or physical limitations will not be prevented from appearing for the examination.Such candidates will be required to submit a written undertaking at the examination centre, following which manual identity verification will be conducted using valid identification documents.NTA said the measure has been introduced to ensure that genuine candidates are not inconvenienced because of technical glitches.Additional facilities arranged at centresGiven the large number of candidates and prevailing summer conditions in several parts of the country, NTA has instructed centres to ensure adequate facilities for examinees.All centres have been directed to maintain reliable power backup systems, including generators, along with proper lighting and functioning fans. Drinking water facilities, sanitation arrangements and on-site medical support will also be available.Candidates will be permitted to carry a transparent water bottle inside the examination centre. Diabetic candidates may bring sugar tablets and fruits such as bananas, apples or oranges, along with a transparent water bottle, in accordance with NTA guidelines.Wall clocks will be installed inside examination rooms to help candidates track time during the test.Reporting time and entry rulesCandidates have been asked to report to their examination centres between 11 am and 1.30 pm.NTA reiterated that entry gates will close at 1.30 pm sharp and no candidate will be allowed inside after that time under any circumstances.Students wearing customary or religious attire, as well as those opting for full-sleeved clothing or woollens, have been advised to arrive early as additional time may be required during security checks.Candidates must carry a printed copy of their admit card, one original photo identity proof and two passport-size photographs for attendance-related formalities.The agency also cautioned candidates against relying solely on map applications for navigation, noting that incorrect location pins may appear for some examination centres. Students have been advised to verify the exact address mentioned on their admit cards before travelling.NTA warns against rumours and fake claimsIn its advisory, NTA urged candidates to depend only on information published through official channels and not to believe rumours regarding question paper leaks or examination irregularities.Candidates have been asked to immediately report suspicious messages, social media posts or online channels making fraudulent claims related to NEET UG 2026.The agency also encouraged students to remain calm and focus on their preparation. For those experiencing stress or anxiety, NTA highlighted the availability of Tele-MANAS, the national 24x7 mental health helpline, accessible through the toll-free number 14416.Agency reaffirms commitment to fair examinationAs the examination date approaches, NTA said the entire administrative machinery has been put on alert to ensure a smooth and transparent process.The agency thanked state governments, Union Territory administrations, district officials, police departments, examination staff and candidates for their cooperation.Reaffirming its commitment to integrity and fairness, NTA said all arrangements are in place to conduct the NEET (UG) 2026 re-examination smoothly across India and abroad on June 21.

NEET UG 2026 Re-Exam: The National Testing Agency (NTA) has started sending official examination updates and centre-related information to NEET UG 2026 candidates through WhatsApp ahead of the re-examination scheduled for June 21, 2026. The agency has also issued an advisory asking students to remain vigilant against fraudulent messages, fake admit card links, and scams circulating online. According to NTA, candidates may receive important exam-related communication directly on WhatsApp from its verified account. The agency clarified that genuine WhatsApp messages will only come from the verified number +91 78279 80287, which carries a blue verification tick and the name "National Testing Agency." The agency cautioned candidates that any number using the NTA name without the blue verified tick should not be trusted. NEET (UG) 2026 — Official WhatsApp UpdatesNTA is now sending exam updates & centre information to candidates directly on WhatsApp for the re-examination on Sunday, 21 June 2026.How to know it's really us:✅ Only from our verified account: +91 78279 80287✅ Look for the…— National Testing Agency (@NTA_Exams) June 19, 2026 NTA's Official WhatsApp Advisory NTA stated that its WhatsApp service is a broadcast-only channel and candidates are not required to respond to messages received through it. The agency further clarified that it will never ask candidates to: Share OTPs or personal information Make any payment Download exam papers, answer keys, or "leaked" materials Access admit cards through forwarded links Candidates have been advised to download their admit cards only from the official website, neet.nta.nic.in, by manually typing the address into their browser. NEET (UG) 2026 — Admit Card Reminder & Safety AdvisoryNTA is sending reminder SMS and emails to candidates to download their admit cards for the re-examination on Sunday, 21 June 2026.How to know a message is genuinely from NTA:✅ SMS would come from the official sender…— National Testing Agency (@NTA_Exams) June 19, 2026 Reminder to Download New Admit Cards Alongside WhatsApp updates, NTA is also sending reminder SMSes and emails to candidates who have not yet downloaded their admit cards for the June 21 re-examination. Official SMS messages will be sent through the sender ID NICPEP, while emails will originate from no-reply.neet.nta@nic.in. The agency clarified that candidates who have already downloaded their admit cards for the June 21 examination do not need to download them again. The reminders are primarily intended for students who have not yet accessed their new admit cards. It is clarified that those who have already downloaded their Admit Cards for the 21st June NEET UG Examination need not do it again. The SMS/Email/WhatsApp messages are primarily for those students who are yet to download their new Admit Cards. The 3rd May Admit Cards won't be…— National Testing Agency (@NTA_Exams) June 19, 2026 Old Admit Cards No Longer Valid NTA emphasized that admit cards issued for the May 3 NEET UG examination will not be accepted for the re-examination. The agency noted that several candidates have been allotted new examination centres in their preferred cities. Therefore, students must carry the admit card issued specifically for the June 21 examination. "Downloading and printing the 21st June Admit Card once is enough," NTA said in its clarification. How to Report Suspicious Messages Candidates who receive suspicious messages claiming to be from NTA have been advised not to click on any links or share personal information. Such incidents can be reported through the dedicated portal at innovateindia.mygov.in/neet-ug-2026 or via the National Cyber Crime Helpline number 1930. The NEET UG 2026 re-examination will be conducted on Sunday, June 21, and NTA has urged aspirants to rely only on official communication channels for updates and examination-related information.