NTA to conduct nationwide mock drill today ahead of NEET-UG 2026 re-examination
The National Testing Agency (NTA) will conduct a nationwide mock drill on Saturday as part of its preparations for the NEET-UG 2026 re-examination scheduled for Sunday, June 21. The exercise aims to ensure the smooth, secure and transparent conduct of one of the country's largest entrance examinations.
According to officials, the mock drill will test logistical arrangements, security protocols and coordination among various agencies involved in the examination process.
The NEET-UG re-examination will be held from 2 pm to 5.15 pm in pen-and-paper mode across 551 cities in India and 14 cities abroad, with over 22.79 lakh candidates expected to appear. Candidates eligible for compensatory time under the Persons with Disabilities (PwD/PwBD) category will be allowed to continue until 6.20 pm.
The NTA said extensive preparations have been made in collaboration with district administrations, police departments and escort teams to ensure the secure transportaion and handling of confidential examination materials.
A total of 674 city coordinators and 6,669 observers have been deployed to oversee operations, while centre superintendents and invigilators have been appointed at every examination centre. More than two lakh personnel, including police and district administration officials, have been mobilised nationwide.
To strengthen security, the agency has implemented a multi-layered framework that includes GPS-enabled vehicles with police escorts for transporting examination materials, CCTV surveillance linked to centralised control rooms, Aadhaar-based biometric authentication and mandatory frisking using high-sensitivity metal detectors.
The examination will also be monitored in real time through centralised control systems. The NTA said it is actively tracking social media platforms to curb misinformation and malpractice, and has lodged complaints with cyber-crime authorities and investigative agencies against those spreading false information.
Candidates have been advised to report to their centres between 11 am and 1.30 pm, as entry gates will close sharply at 1.30 pm. The agency has also urged aspirants to verify their examination centre addresses from their admit cards and not rely solely on map applications.
Reiterating its commitment to integrity and transparency, the NTA said all administrative machinery is in place to ensure the smooth and fair conduct of the examination.
(ANI)