NEET UG retest today: 1,563 candidates to reappear for medical entrance exam amid paper-leak row

NEET UG retest today: As many as 1,563 National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test Undergraduate (NEET-UG) aspirants are set to appear for the medical entrance exam again on June 23, Sunday.

The National Testing Agency (NTA) will administer the retest today after the scorecards of 1,563 candidates were cancelled. These students were allotted compensatory grace marks for the loss of time due to late commencement of examination in six centres across India.

One exam centre each in Meghalaya, Haryana, Chhattisgarh and Gujarat failed to begin the exam on time while two centres in Chandigarh failed to follow schedule.

On June 13, an NTA notification stated that re-examination would be conducted for the affected candidates on June 23, Sunday, between 2 to 5 PM. The result is tentatively scheduled for June 30.

On the same day, the Supreme Court had ruled that those candidates who opt to take the re-examination, their actual marks in the re-test will be considered as their final result. Thus, marks from their previous May 5 test will stand invalid.

After the results were declared on June 4, protests erupted nationwide among aspirants over alleged “irregularities”, accusations of paper leaks and mark inflation. An official from the NTA informed PTI that a retest is scheduled at seven centres, six of which are new. Officials from the NTA and the Education Ministry will oversee these centres.

As per the guidelines, the following items are strictly prohibited inside the test centre:

• Stationery items- Textual material (printed or written), notes, plastic pouch, calculator, pen, writing pad, pen drives, eraser, etc.
• Electronic devices- Mobile Phone, Bluetooth, earphones, microphone, pager, wristwatch/health band, calculator, electronic pen/ scanner, etc.
• Ornaments: Bracelets, rings, earrings, nose pins, chains/necklaces, pendants, badges, brooches, etc.
• Other items- Wallet, goggles, handbags, cap, belt, eatables, soft drinks, water bottle, shoes, etc.

Candidate must carry the following documents to the test centre:

• Printed copy of Admit card with passport-size photograph affixed on it.
• One passport-size photograph which will be affixed on the attendance sheet.
• One Post Card Size (4” X6”) colour photograph with white background affixed on the ‘Proforma.’
• Government-issued valid and original identity proof which could be PAN card, driving license, voter ID, passport, or Aadhaar card with photograph.

(With PTI inputs)