India’s NEET‑UG Exam: Heightened Security Measures After Paper Leak Allegations

Mon Jun 22 2026 10:14:15 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

When the medical entrance test paper was allegedly leaked, India doubled security—metal detectors, jammers and drones—to protect the resit exam.

The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET‑UG) in India was cancelled once after allegations of a paper leak. A month later, candidates returned for a fresh paper under the strictest scrutiny yet, with metal detectors, biometric checks, jammers, and even drones deployed across 5,440 centres. Roughly 2.3 million students sit each year; the crackdown aimed to curb fraud and restore confidence. While some students fear another breach, officials insist the new process ensures fairness, and the exam will run for 3 hours and 15 minutes with 180 questions.

India’s NEET‑UG Exam: Heightened Security Measures After Paper Leak Allegations

Indian medical hopefuls were stunned last month when the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET‑UG) was cancelled after an alleged paper leak. The cancellation devastated candidates who had spent months—and, in some cases, years—preparing.

By Tuesday, the exam was back on the schedule, but with unprecedented security. Security officers, drones, and even the Indian Air Force were deployed to safeguard the freshly issued test papers.

Students entering the exam centres faced biometric identification, metal detectors, and patrolled armoured vehicles. The National Testing Agency (NTA) reported that more than 1.3 million CCTV cameras were placed across roughly 95 000 rooms, and about 51,311 jammers were used to block mobile signals.

The exam’s 3 hours 15 minutes duration includes 180 questions covering physics, chemistry, and biology—topics notorious for sparking both academic and criminal intrigue.

In addition to the physical security, the NTA temporarily banned Telegram, citing its potential use as a cheating tool. Earlier this year, the same exam faced allegations of fraud and irregularities, sparking nationwide protests.

Students expressed mixed feelings. “If the paper is leaked again, the exam must be repeated,” said one aspirant. Another cautioned that “re‑studying in just one month is a big challenge.”

The parliamentary investigation has turned over the allegations to the Central Bureau of Investigation. Meanwhile, 39,000 frisking staff were employed across the country to scan students’ hair and jewellery. The NTA emphasized that all rumours of a paper leak were "misleading and stressful."