A few days ago, National Testing Agency (NTA) Director General Abhishek Singh announced that the Indian Air Force (IAF) would be engaged in the transportation of NEET question papers for the examination.
Singh, who virtually attended a meeting convened by Telangana Chief Secretary K. Ramakrishna Rao to review arrangements for NEET, said enhanced security measures were being put in place for the reexam.
"He (Singh) stated that, for the first time, the Indian Air Force is being engaged to transport question papers, reflecting the importance being accorded to maintaining the integrity and security of the examination process," a state government release said, news agency PTI had reported.
Now, according to multiple media reports, the IAF's role will primarily be to provide logistical support for the safe and secure transportation of NEET question papers across the country.
As per a report in The Hindu, the question papers will be flown by the IAF to 18 Air Force stations located across different parts of India. From these stations, the papers will be securely transported to the designated examination centres.
A News18 report quoted sources as saying that the force is prepared to extend any additional assistance required to ensure the smooth conduct of the examination.
The decision comes amid efforts to strengthen the security and integrity of the examination process.
A few weeks ago, reports had indicated that the government was exploring the possibility of using the IAF to transport NEET-UG question papers as part of measures to ensure the foolproof conduct of the June 21 examination.
The proposal was discussed at a high-level meeting chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and attended by Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia.
According to sources, the ministers and senior officials deliberated on the use of IAF aircraft for transporting NEET-UG question papers to enhance security and ensure their timely delivery across the country.
