‘Mistakes of the Past Won't Be Repeated’: Education Minister Assures Error-Free Re-NEET

By Mahima Katal New Delhi, June 9: Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Tuesday assured NEET-UG candidates that the re-examination scheduled for June 21 will be conducted smoothly and without errors, urging students to concentrate on their preparations while the government handles all logistical and security concerns.

The assurance came after Pradhan reviewed the preparations at the National Testing Agency (NTA) headquarters amid heightened scrutiny following the cancellation of the May 3 NEET-UG examination over allegations of a paper leak.

"The students should focus on their studies. We will conduct the re-NEET smoothly and without errors," the minister said, reiterating the government's commitment to restoring confidence in the examination process.

Enhanced Security Measures in Place

Pradhan said additional safeguards have been introduced at every stage of the examination process, from question paper preparation to transportation and delivery at examination centres.

According to the minister, multiple review meetings have been conducted under the supervision of the Cabinet Secretary, while state governments have been asked to extend full cooperation to ensure the successful conduct of the examination.

The minister noted that chief secretaries, directors general of police, district collectors, and superintendents of police across several states have already reviewed local arrangements. He specifically referred to meetings held in Bihar and Maharashtra and consultations with state governments, including Rajasthan.

Sources indicated that the NTA is considering deploying the Indian Air Force (IAF) for the transportation of question papers as part of enhanced security arrangements following the controversy surrounding the cancelled examination.

Multi-Agency Coordination

Pradhan said several central agencies have been brought together to strengthen cybersecurity and operational preparedness for the examination.

These include the Computer Emergency Response Team-India (CERT-In), Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), Intelligence Bureau (IB), Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), and the Ministry of Home Affairs.

"All these agencies are working together to address cybersecurity and security challenges," he said.

The minister added that the Centre has also strengthened the NTA by appointing additional officials at the levels of Joint Secretary, Director, and Deputy Director, assigning them specific responsibilities related to logistics, printing, software security, coordination with states, banking institutions, and transportation.

Examination to be Held Across 551 Cities

The re-NEET examination will be conducted across 551 cities through 5,435 examination centres, including 14 centres outside India.

Expressing confidence in the arrangements, Pradhan said all agencies involved are carrying out their assigned responsibilities and that the NTA is fully prepared to conduct the examination successfully.

He also assured students that results would be declared on schedule to avoid disruption to the academic calendar and medical admission process.

Government Monitoring at Highest Levels

Pradhan said the issue is being closely monitored by senior members of the government.

He revealed that he has discussed the matter with Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and is scheduled to meet Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda. The Finance Ministry is also monitoring developments.

"The trust of students and parents is important to us. The mistakes that occurred earlier will not be repeated," he said.

The minister added that state authorities have been instructed to make special arrangements based on local weather conditions and other region-specific challenges. District administrations across the country are coordinating directly with the NTA to identify and address potential concerns ahead of the examination.

CBI Investigation Continues

Addressing the controversy surrounding the cancelled May 3 examination, Pradhan said the CBI is continuing its investigation into the alleged irregularities and paper leak.

He expressed confidence in the agency's efforts to identify those responsible and called for strict action against the accused.

"We have requested that criminal liability be fixed, cases be filed, and speedy trials be conducted in fast-track courts. Those found guilty should receive exemplary punishment," he said.

Pradhan also disclosed that the NTA has been directed to explore legal remedies against entities that allegedly violated contractual obligations and compromised the integrity of the examination process.

The agency is currently examining whether civil liability proceedings can be initiated against those found responsible for breaching agreements and trust.

Restoring Confidence

Referring to reports that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is personally monitoring the situation,

Pradhan said the matter has received attention at the highest levels of government due to concerns about students' interests and public confidence in the examination system.

"The trust of students and parents is paramount. We are committed to ensuring that the mistakes of the past are not repeated and that the re-examination is conducted properly," he said.