Published Jun 16, 2026 | 11:38 AM ⚊ Updated Jun 16, 2026 | 11:40 AM
K Annamalai.
Synopsis: With unprecedented security measures and oversight—including by the PMO—in place, the NEET retest could add to the exam pressure of students already frayed by the preparations.
The organiser of We The Leaders movement and former president of the BJP in Tamil Nadu K Annamalai has slammed the extensive security arrangements announced by the Ministry of Education for the upcoming NEET retest scheduled on June 21, 2026.
Annamalai said the measures could add to the mental pressure on students already facing one of the country’s toughest examinations.
In a strongly worded statement, Annamalai pointed out that the retest will be conducted with unprecedented security measures in place, including a two-tier CRPF and CISF escort system, with the Indian Air Force airlifting the papers; four-layer CCTV monitoring with AI surveillance; biometric and facial recognition verification before entry; and multiple rounds of frisking.
He also highlighted how the examination process will be under multi-level oversight, including direct monitoring from the Prime Minister’s Office.
While acknowledging the government’s efforts to prevent paper leaks and strengthen examination security, Annamalai said the implementation raises serious concerns for students already under immense academic pressure.
He noted that the additional scrutiny before entry, prolonged frisking procedures, and the extension of examination duration from 180 minutes to 195 minutes would only add to the anxiety of students who have spent months preparing for one of the country’s most competitive examinations and are now giving a retest.
Referring to the objectives of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, Annamalai said the present approach contradicts the policy’s stated goal of reducing “exam stress” among students.
He also pointed out that despite the elaborate arrangements, students continue to face technical issues in downloading their admit cards, with the National Testing Agency (NTA) assuring candidates that the problems would be resolved soon.
“There are challenges that demand meaningful solutions. However, I am concerned that the approach devised for the NEET retest may not resolve the issue; instead, it risks creating a new set of problems,” Annamalai stated.
The NEET-UG 2026 exam held on May 3 for over 22.8 lakh aspirants had been cancelled after allegations of paper leak. Investigators from the Rajasthan Special Operations Group found a few days later that 120 chemistry questions being shared through WhatsApp, Telegram and other channels in Sikar in Rajasthan as guess papers actually matched those in the final paper.
On Tuesday, the government announced a ban on the use of Telegram until June 22, citing its use by ‘cheating rackets’.
The National Testing Agency said the government has also issued “a direction requiring the platform to disable, in India, the message-editing feature in respect of messages already posted, for a defined period ending 30 June 2026, addressing the specific structural feature through which the platform has been used to fabricate after-the-event ‘paper leak’ evidence in respect of national examinations.”
NTA STATEMENT REGARDING THE ACTION ON TELEGRAM PLATFORM IN INDIA
1. The National Testing Agency (NTA) welcomes the directions issued today in respect of the Telegram platform in India. The directions, issued on recommendations of NTA are calibrated and bounded in time:
(a) a…
— National Testing Agency (@NTA_Exams) June 16, 2026
Also Read | NEET leakage: Are authorities endorsing systemic failure?
(With inputs from Subhash Chandra Bose.)
