The Center is considering turning to the armed forces for help in conducting the NEET-UG re-test on June 21 – the first of its kind for any national entrance exam – as the government races to ensure a safe and error-free exercise for over 2.2 million students after the original exam was canceled amid allegations of paper leakage and malpractice.
A high-level review meeting was held under the chairmanship of Defense Minister Rajnath Singh at his residence on Thursday, in the presence of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, senior ministers and senior officials of the National Testing Agency and the Education Ministry.
The meeting reviewed the entire examination gamut – from question paper preparation and printing to transportation, security and last-mile delivery.
“NEET-UG is India’s largest offline exam covering over 2.2 million students. We will seek help from the Army in logistics wherever they can help us. With limited time remaining for the exam, the Air Force can help us deliver question papers in adverse weather conditions like rain, storms, etc. Not only the Army, Home Ministry, state governments, IT Ministry, Department of Posts, Civil Aviation and Ministry of External Affairs are helping us in conducting the re-examination on June 21. We want to ensure ‘smooth and error-free examination,'” a senior official said. In NTA for HT.
The official indicated that the role of the armed forces will be limited to logistical coordination, securing transportation, and emergency situations related to weather disturbances – and not supervising exams. A Defense Ministry spokesman declined to comment officially.
If approved, it will be the first time the military has been formally involved in the logistics associated with the national entrance exam. The Indian Armed Forces are routinely called upon by civilian authorities during disasters, rescue operations, and humanitarian emergencies – the Army for flood relief and rescue, the Air Force for strategic airlift of relief materials and medical teams, and the Navy for evacuations in India and abroad.
The CBI, which is probing the alleged NEET-UG 2026 violations, has arrested 13 accused so far in connection with the paper leak.
