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karnatakastudentsretest

Students in Karnataka say UG NEET retest tougher

Students waiting outside an examination centre to write the UG-NEET retest in Bengaluru on Sunday. | Photo Credit: SUDHAKARA JAIN The retest for the undergraduate National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (UGNEET-2026) for admission to medical courses was successfully conducted across the State on Sunday without any untoward incidents.It was held as the question papers for the UGNEET-2026, which was held on May 3, 2026, were leaked.However, compared to the first examination held on May 3, students in the State found the retest more difficult. While questions in biology were moderate, many students termed questions from physics and chemistry to be “very difficult”. Students during the UG-NEET re-exam in Bengaluru on Sunday. | Photo Credit: SUDHAKARA JAIN “I studied very well over the last one and a half months. However, compared to the earlier NEET examination, the retest on Sunday was very tough. The questions from physics and chemistry were particularly challenging. I scored 615 marks based on the “key answers” from the NEET examination in May. However, I doubt that I will even score 600 marks in the retest,” said Meghana V.P., a student from Bengaluru.“I could not answer all the questions. The earlier examination was easier that this one. I am doubtful that I will get a medical seat this time,” said Keerthana Ravi.Another student, Varun Sakhya, said that students were very upset by the retest for no fault of theirs, and it being difficult has only added to their woes.Speaking to The Hindu, a staff member of a private NEET coaching centre in Bengaluru said, “This time, the NEET examination was tough for all the students, so none of our students can score 720 out of 720 marks. Some may score between 690 and 700.”With the National Testing Agency (NTA) taking strict measures to prevent any untoward incidents, including paper leaks, the examinations were held smoothly in the State on Sunday.All examination centres had turned into a fortress with heavy police deployment and prohibitory orders clamped for 200 metres radius around these centres. Published - June 21, 2026 09:11 pm IST

The HinduJun 21

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Politics

5updates

aheadretestnationwide

Nationwide mock drill underway ahead of NEET-UG re-exam; security tightened

Policemen checking the admit cards of students at an examination centre ahead of the NEET UG re-test in Mysuru on Sunday (June 21). | Photo Credit: M.A. Sriram The NEET-UG 2026 re-examination concluded across Mysuru on Sunday (June 21) amid stringent security arrangements, though nearly one-fourth of the registered candidates skipped the test, which was necessitated by the question paper leak controversy.According to official figures, 6,039 of the 7,886 registered candidates appeared for the examination conducted at 21 centres across the city, while 1,847 candidates remained absent, resulting in an absentee rate of over 23%. The reasons for the high absenteeism were not immediately known.The re-test, held from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., was conducted under tight security, with the district administration putting in place elaborate arrangements to ensure the smooth and incident-free conduct of the examination.The re-examination had generated considerable anxiety among students and their families after the paper leak scandal forced lakhs of medical aspirants across the country to rewrite the highly competitive entrance test.Security checks commenced around 11 a.m. at all examination centres. Candidates underwent mandatory frisking and biometric verification before being allowed to enter the premises. Authorities had instructed students to report well in advance, warning that entry gates would be closed at 1.30 p.m.Police personnel and examination officials verified admit cards and identity documents before permitting candidates to enter the centres. Security was visibly heightened outside all venues, with policemen deployed to regulate crowds and prevent any untoward incidents.Large numbers of anxious parents and family members were seen waiting outside the examination centres as students took the crucial test, which has remained under intense public scrutiny since allegations of a question paper leak surfaced. Published - June 21, 2026 06:22 pm IST

The HinduJun 21

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Economy

6updates

2026aheadcentre

Centre appoints two joint secretaries, joint directors for NTA amid NEET paper leak case: Who are they?

The NEET-UG re-examination is being held on Sunday at centres across India and abroad under strict security arrangements to ensure a smooth conduct of the test.The National Testing Agency (NTA) is conducting the re-test after the original exam held on May 3 was cancelled due to an ongoing investigation into a question paper leak.The exam started at 2 PM and is scheduled to end at 5:15 PM. Candidates with disabilities who are eligible for compensatory time will be permitted to continue until 6:20 PM. However, several candidates and their families reported facing difficulties in commuting to their exam centres.A student from Rajasthan has alleged that she was prevented from entering an examination centre in Ajmer because she was wearing a burqa. Speaking to reporters, she claimed that officials refused her entry on that ground.According to ANI, the candidate said she had worn the same attire during the May 3 exam as well, when she was not stopped from entering the centre.A candidate, named Kulsum Bano, told ANI, “I have come from Beawar to take the NEET exam. When I took the exam on May 3rd, I was in the same attire then as I am now: wearing a burqa and a dupatta. Initially, they said I would have to remove the dupatta to enter; then they insisted I had to remove the burqa as well. If the NTA has permitted us, these people cannot stop us... If I am to take the exam and they don't allow me in this attire, then I simply won't take it... It is shameful that they are messing with 18-year-olds like this... The exam doesn't matter to me; what matters is my 'burqa' and my identity.”However, CO North Shivam Joshi says, "Students were admitted strictly according to the scheduled time, and the entry gates are now closed. The issue regarding the Burqa has also been resolved. There was some lack of clarity regarding certain rules, which was subsequently clarified by senior officials, settling the matter. Apart from this, there are no disputes at the examination centre, and all students have been admitted peacefully."In response to the allegations made by the student and her father, the National Testing Agency clarified that the candidate was permitted to enter the examination centre and sit for the re-exam.The examination is being held across 5,440 centres in 551 cities within India, as well as 14 centres overseas. It is conducted in English and 12 Indian languages. According to the NTA, more than 95,000 examination rooms are under CCTV surveillance.Officials said a total of 1,38,560 CCTV cameras have been installed, with live monitoring carried out at the national, state, and ministry levels. To prevent electronic malpractice, 51,311 signal jammers have also been deployed.Ahead of the re-exam, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan urged candidates to appear without fear or stress. Speaking at a yoga event at Delhi University on International Day of Yoga, he expressed full confidence in the NTA, state and district administrations, the education system, and students.If I am to take the exam and they don't allow me in this attire, then I simply won't take it... It is shameful that they are messing with 18-year-olds like this.He also appealed to the public not to engage in actions that could harm students’ mental well-being, stressing that the future of the country’s youth should not be jeopardised.(With inputs from agencies)Key TakeawaysThe incident highlights the intersection of cultural identity and educational regulations.Clarifying rules and consistent application is crucial in examination protocols to prevent unnecessary distress among students.The NTA aims to ensure a secure examination environment while addressing students' personal beliefs and practices.About the AuthorLivemintFor about a decade, Livemint—News Desk has been a credible source for authentic and timely news, and well-researched analysis on national news, business, personal finance, corporates, politics and geopolitics. We bring the latest updates on all the listed

LiveMintJun 21

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Politics

retestneetcriticises

Annamalai criticises NEET re-test arrangements

K. Annamalai. File | Photo Credit: S.R. Raghunathan We The Leader movement founder K. Annamalai, on Tuesday (June 16, 2026), said the approach devised for the NEET re-test might not resolve the issue and instead risks creating a new set of problems.In a social media post, Mr. Annamalai criticised the arrangements made by the Ministry of Education for the NEET re-test scheduled for June 21.“Every student would appreciate the government’s efforts to prevent paper leaks by implementing additional security measures and enhanced monitoring. But an increase in scrutiny before entry, extended frisking, and an increase in the overall exam time from 180 minutes to 195 minutes will only add to their already ballooning exam pressure,” Mr. Annamalai contended.While the government has taken measures to contain leaks, they have forgotten the additional burden they have imposed on a young student before they take up an assessment, one that they have spent months preparing for, dissolving the entire purpose of our exam system and the NEP 2020’s goal to reduce ‘exam stress’, he said. Published - June 16, 2026 03:22 pm IST

The HinduJun 16

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Politics

13updates

statebank2026

82.94% candidates clear POLYCET 2026 in Telangana

Minister for Panchayat Raj and Rural Development Dansari Anasuya Seethakka. File | Photo Credit: SIDDHANT THAKUR The Telangana government has decided to formally convey its objections to the proposed VB-G RAM-G scheme that the Centre plans to implement from July 1, Minister for Panchayat Raj and Rural Development Danasari Anasuya Seethakka said on Saturday. She also said that a final decision on the implementation of the scheme would be taken after consultations with Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy and the State Cabinet.The Minister said the State would write to the Union government outlining its concerns over the new policy, which has already been opposed by the Telangana Legislative Assembly through a resolution. The decision comes amid reports that the Centre is urging States to adopt the scheme from July 1.Ms. Seethakka reviewed the issues to be raised in the communication with officials, including Panchayat Raj and Rural Development Special Chief Secretary Dana Kishore, Commissioner Divya Devarajan, Special Commissioner Srilakshmi, Joint Commissioner Narasimhulu and others, at a meeting.During the review, officials informed the Minister that implementation of the new policy was linked to the release of 60% of the funds required for the employment guarantee programme from the Centre. They also pointed out that several States had already initiated steps for implementation and issued notifications in this regard. The meeting discussed the approaches being adopted by other States.Ms. Seethakka said allocating employment days on a normative basis instead of according to demand was not appropriate. She also proposed that the Centre withdraw the provision mandating a 60-day break in employment works during the agricultural season.She observed that the monsoon season coincides with plantation and afforestation activities undertaken through employment guarantee works in Telangana. Imposing a 60-day suspension during this period would disrupt programmes such as ‘Vanamahotsavam’ and plantation drives, which are in line with the Centre’s environmental objectives, she said.The Minister further noted that agricultural operations in tribal and hilly regions do not extend for 60 days continuously, making the proposed provision impractical in such areas. Interrupting ongoing works for two months would adversely affect development activities. She also demanded that the Centre bear the entire expenditure on ongoing employment guarantee works, buildings and other infrastructure projects until their completion. She said the State would seek postponement of the scheme’s implementation to allow greater flexibility for States.At the same time, the Minister clarified that if implementation of the VB-G RAM-G policy became unavoidable, the State government would ensure that workers did not suffer losses. Officials have been instructed to prepare a framework under which the State could compensate labourers for any adverse impact arising from the new policy, she added. Published - June 13, 2026 11:24 pm IST

The HinduJun 13

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Politics

2updates

studentsdemandretest

CET re-test for students asked to remove janivara, hijab in Karnataka

Students and parents of the Siraj-ul-Uloom, which the administration closed under the provisions of Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) last month, on Thursday (May 7, 2026) took to the streets and demanded its immediate reopening in south Kashmir’s Shopian.Hundreds of students, accompanied by parents, hit the streets in south Kashmir and marched towards the office of the Deputy Commissioner. “Most students are from poor families. What is the sin of the students? How can the administration mar their future?” said a parent.Shopian legislator Shabir Kullay also joined the protesters and demanded steps to ensure the students’ career is not affected. Over 800 students are enrolled at the seminary-cum-school.“Illegal activities should not be tolerated. However, the future of innocent students should not suffer. The closure of the institute is unfortunate,” said Mr. Kullay.He said the government should intervene to “ensure there was no academic loss for the students”.Officials said the district administration was mulling to have the students admitted to nearby schools.On April 28, the seminary-cum-school was sealed under provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. Officials said the move was made after an official order was issued by Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Anshul Garg, in exercise of powers under Section 8(1), which cited alleged links with a banned organisation Jamaat-e-Islami, financial irregularities, and concerns over misuse of the institution’s premises.The multi-storey buildings of the seminary, considered one of the largest in south Kashmir, also have 102 staff members. The move was criticised by regional political parties, including Peoples Democratic Party’s Mehbooba Mufti, J&K Apni Party’s Altaf Bukhari, J&K Peoples Conference’s Sajad Lone and Kashmir chief cleric Sajad Lone. Published - May 07, 2026 05:42 pm IST

The HinduMay 7

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