In its first National Entrance Test, the Indian Air Force (IAF) will be involved in transferring question papers for the National Eligibility Entrance Test (NEET) scheduled to be conducted on June 21. The move comes as the authorities intensify their efforts to ensure a safe and error-free examination process after the original examination was canceled due to allegations of paper leakage.
More than 2.2 million students are expected to take the exam across the country, with enhanced security protocols in place to protect the integrity of the process, HT reported earlier.
Strengthening security measures
National Testing Agency (NTA) Director General Abhishek Singh announced the decision while physically attending a meeting convened by Telangana Chief Secretary K Ramakrishna Rao to review the testing arrangements.
Read also | PM Modi personally supervised, govt tells SC as court seeks explanation over NEET-like paper leaks
According to a statement issued by the Hyderabad government, “(Singh) stated that, for the first time, the Indian Air Force is involved in the transportation of question papers, which reflects the importance given to maintaining the integrity and security of the examination process.”
Singh also informed the meeting that enhanced security protocols for screening are being implemented.
Telangana government reviews preparations
During the meeting, Chief Secretary K Ramakrishna Rao instructed the officials to make foolproof arrangements for conducting the medical entrance examination. He directed the district authorities to work in close coordination with all the departments concerned so that the candidates have a hassle-free experience on the test day, news agency PTI reported.
Read also | Initially, the Center may use the armed forces for the logistics of re-testing the NEET-UG on June 21
About 73,000 students are expected to appear for the examination at 208 centers spread across 24 cities in Telangana, Principal Minister of State (Health) Christina Z Chungthu said.
She added that necessary arrangements are being made regarding infrastructure, transportation, security, power supply, drinking water and other basic facilities to ensure the smooth conduct of the exam.
The police were asked to maintain constant vigilance
State Director General (Law and Order) Mahesh Bhagwat stressed the importance of close coordination between the police department and the district administration. He directed police officials to ensure comprehensive security arrangements at all examination centers and maintain constant vigil.
Read also | NTA rejects chatter about ‘leak’ of NEET re-test paper, warns of action: ‘Every such allegation is fabrication’
He also warned officials against spreading rumors and misinformation, and advised them to monitor and use social media platforms effectively to immediately address any false information that may affect the conduct of the exam.
PM Modi personally supervises: Govt
The Supreme Court was told on Friday that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was personally overseeing the cancellation of NEET-UG, after a paper was leaked.
The application was made by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta after the Supreme Court sought a response from the government in an affidavit detailing how and in what manner the process will be conducted and the investigation into the leak concluded.
“The honorable Prime Minister is personally honourable,” Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told the court, according to LiveLaw.
During the hearing, Justice Bamidigantam Sri Narasimha asked the Center how much enforcement monitoring had taken place and the reason behind the leak.
Investigation with the Central Bank of Iraq
On May 12, the NTA canceled the National Eligibility Entrance Test (Undergraduate), or NEET, held on May 3 for medical admissions amid allegations of paper leakage. Paper leak allegations are under investigation by the CBI.
A retest is scheduled for June 21. Earlier in 2024, after NEET-UG questions were leaked, the Supreme Court had refused to cancel the exam but issued various directions aimed at addressing paper leaks and also a criterion for canceling public exams.
