NEET UG 2026 Sees 97% Attendance; Authorities Block 75+ Telegram Channels
The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test for Undergraduate medical programs (NEET UG) took place on Sunday across 5,432 examination centers both in India and abroad. With approximately 22.79 lakh candidates having downloaded their admit cards, the turnout was impressive as 97 percent of registered aspirants appeared for the exam.
Strict Vigilance and Security Measures
The examination was conducted peacefully, with authorities implementing robust monitoring systems to prevent any form of malpractice. The National Testing Agency (NTA) reported no major disruptions from any of the examination venues. In a notable display of oversight, the Union Education Minister visited the NTA headquarters in Delhi, where he conducted a live review of examination centers nationwide and assessed the security arrangements in place. The minister spent approximately an hour at the headquarters, overseeing the proceedings. Preparations had been thoroughly tested the previous day through a mock drill, ensuring all personnel were well-versed with their responsibilities.
Crackdown on Unfair Means
In a significant move to safeguard the integrity of the examination, authorities blocked more than 75 Telegram channels suspected of being involved in malpractice. The exam also proceeded without incident in West Bengal and five other states where election-related activities were underway.
To further bolster security and prevent fraud, the NTA introduced Aadhaar-based facial authentication for candidates. This biometric verification process utilizes artificial intelligence and machine learning to match the candidate’s live face against the UIDAI database in real time. Following the conclusion of the examination, a secondary verification process is scheduled to take place.
Incidents of Misconduct Reported
Despite the stringent measures, a few candidates were caught attempting to use unfair means during the test. In separate incidents at centers in Ajmer, Rajasthan, and Raipur, Chhattisgarh, candidates were found to have tampered with their admit cards to change their assigned examination centers. However, their attempts were foiled when NTA records did not reflect their names at those particular venues.
In a first for the examination, a female candidate was caught using unfair means. The candidate, who arrived at an examination center in Pune, Maharashtra, was found in possession of a mobile phone during the security check, despite a strict prohibition on bringing electronic devices into the exam hall.
Candidates found guilty of such violations face police action and may also be barred from appearing in future examinations, as per the regulations in place. The NTA’s comprehensive approach, combining technological solutions with physical vigilance, underscores its commitment to conducting a fair and transparent examination process for all medical aspirants. The high attendance rate and the smooth conduct of the exam reflect the effective coordination between the testing agency, examination center staff, and candidates.
