Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan reviewed preparations for the June 21 NEET-UG re-examination and assured candidates that measures have been put in place to ensure the examination is conducted smoothly, securely and without errors.
Pradhan visited the National Testing Agency (NTA) headquarters and assessed arrangements for the re-test, which is being conducted after the original May 3 examination was cancelled following confirmation that the question paper had been compromised.
The minister said several high-level meetings had been held under the Cabinet Secretary's leadership and responsibilities had been assigned to all departments involved in the exercise. The Centre has also strengthened the NTA by inducting additional officials, including joint secretaries and directors, to oversee different aspects of the examination process.
The government will for the first time use Indian Air Force (IAF) aircraft to transport question papers as part of the enhanced security plan, replacing the conventional road-based distribution system.
Pradhan said the Centre was coordinating closely with state governments and district administrations, taking local weather conditions into account. He added that the results would be declared without delay so that students do not lose valuable academic time.
The examination would be conducted at 5,435 centres across 551 cities in India and 14 centres abroad. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is examining the irregularities in detail and the government has sought the strictest possible action against those arrested.
