With over 22 lakh aspirants set to appear for the NEET-UG re-examination on Sunday, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan urged candidates to appear for the exam fearlessly and without anxiety.
Pradhan, who is under pressure over allegations of exam irregularities, said he has full faith in the National Testing Agency (NTA), state governments, district administrations, the education fraternity, and students.
“Today, around 22 lakh students are going to sit for NEET shortly. They should sit fearlessly and free of anxiety. They will certainly do well. My best wishes to the students,” he said.
He also appealed to the public not to do anything that could affect children’s mental health, stressing that the future of the country’s younger generation should not be compromised.
The NTA also urged candidates to remain calm and reach examination centres early.
“This is the day you’ve prepared for. Stay calm, trust yourself, and give it your best — you’ve earned this moment. You’ve got this. We’re rooting for you,” the agency said in a post on X.
The re-examination will be held from 2 pm to 5:15 pm across 551 cities in India and 14 cities abroad. Candidates with disabilities eligible for compensatory time will be allowed to write the exam until 6:20 pm.
The NTA has advised candidates to report to their centres between 11 am and 1:30 pm, warning that entry gates will close strictly at 1:30 pm and no candidate will be allowed entry thereafter.
Students have been instructed to carry their admit card, valid photo identity proof, and two passport-size photographs. Extensive security and surveillance arrangements have been put in place, including more than 95,000 examination rooms equipped with CCTV cameras.
A total of 1,38,560 CCTV cameras will be monitored live at the national, state, and ministry levels.
The NTA has also arranged drinking water, ORS, ambulances, shaded waiting areas for parents, seating facilities, wall clocks in every examination room, and additional rough sheets, including provisions for left-handed candidates.
Candidates will be allowed to carry a transparent water bottle, while diabetic candidates may bring sugar tablets and fruits such as bananas, apples, and oranges, in line with NTA guidelines.
Other arrangements include power backup, adequate lighting and ventilation, sanitation facilities, and on-site medical support at centres.
Candidates wearing customary or religious attire, as well as those opting for full-sleeved clothing or woollen garments, have been advised to report early to allow time for proper security checks.
