Ensure foolproof and secure NEET, Education Minister says at review meet

Chairing a review meeting on preparations for the June 21 National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (Undergraduate) for medical admissions, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Tuesday (May 19, 2026) directed authorities to conduct the re-test in a “foolproof” manner “under strict security protocols”. The test held on May 3 was cancelled after questions leaked, leading to an uproar and federal investigations.

An Education Ministry statement said Mr. Pradhan chaired a “high-level review meeting” with senior officials of the Ministry, and “stressed the need for complete integrity and transparency in the conduct of the examination”. The Minister said all “gaps” in the earlier test should be identified and “comprehensively addressed and eliminated”.

The statement said Mr. Pradhan said “coordination meetings” should be held with District Magistrates and Superintendents of Police across the States to “ensure robust monitoring and effective implementation of examination arrangements”. It said the Education Minister called for conducting the test in a “secure, seamless, and foolproof manner under stringent security protocols”. “While underscoring that vigilance and security at examination centres must remain uncompromised, Mr. Pradhan also instructed officials to ensure adequate arrangements for students, including transportation, drinking water and other essential facilities,” the Ministry said.

The leak of the May 3 test questions affected over 20 lakh students.

The Central Bureau of Investigation, which is probing the leak, has made several arrests in the case.