New Delhi, June 16: The National Testing Agency (NTA) is taking unprecedented steps to ensure the integrity of the NEET-UG 2026 re-examination scheduled for June 21. Following the irregularities observed during the May 3 exam, NTA Director General Abhishek Singh announced that for the first time, the agency is collaborating with paramilitary forces and the Indian Air Force to enhance security measures.
In an interview with a news agency, Singh emphasized that every aspect of the examination process has been fortified. This includes the preparation of question papers, translations in 12 Indian languages, printing, packaging, and transportation, all of which are now under the highest security protocols ever implemented by the NTA.
“We are utilizing paramilitary forces, the Indian Air Force, police, complete CCTV surveillance, and GPS tracking,” Singh stated. He added that strict monitoring is in place for everyone involved in the examination process to prevent any actions that could compromise its fairness.
The NTA chief explained that the Air Force’s assistance is crucial for logistics, especially given the tight timeline for organizing the exam. Typically, it takes around five months to conduct this examination, but this time, it will be completed in just 37 days to avoid disrupting the academic cycle.
Regarding the temporary ban on Telegram until June 22, Singh revealed that actions have been taken against over 200 Telegram channels. These channels have been found to frequently change names while promoting various examinations. They have also been implicated in issues such as pornography, child sexual exploitation, drug abuse, crypto scams, and investment fraud.
Singh highlighted that the same individuals often change group names to engage in these illicit activities, misleading many people. He noted that this issue extends beyond examination integrity and into the realm of cybercrime.
On the misuse of the Telegram app, Singh pointed out a feature that allows users to alter content without changing the timestamp. For instance, a Telegram channel claimed to have received the main question paper on May 1, showcasing a video that appeared to display the actual paper. Upon investigation, it was revealed that the video used a genuine question paper from a student in Anantnag, Kashmir, manipulated for deceptive purposes.
To ensure the examination’s integrity, the NTA has requested the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology to block access to Telegram in India until June 22.
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