'Where Are the Buses?': Bihar Government Announces Free Bus Rides for NEET Re-Test Candidates, Triggers Mixed Reaction Online

New Delhi: The Bihar government has announced free bus travel for students appearing in the upcoming NEET re-examination, a move aimed at easing travel-related stress for aspirants. 

However, while many welcomed the initiative as student-friendly, others on social media raised questions about implementation, bus availability and route accessibility.

The announcement comes days after Punjab rolled out a similar initiative for NEET aspirants.

Bihar CM Announces Free Travel for Students

Bihar CM Samrat Choudhary announced the decision through a post on X, stating that all students appearing for the NEET examination would be allowed to travel free of cost on government buses across Bihar.

“For the convenience of all examinees appearing in the NEET examination, travel will be free on all government buses of the state of Bihar,” he wrote.

Apart from transportation support, the Bihar government also appealed to district administrations, temples, monasteries and non-government organisations to assist students and parents with arrangements such as drinking water and sattu at bus stands, railway stations and other major locations.

Punjab Govt Announces Free Bus Rides for Re-NEET

The Bihar announcement comes shortly after the Punjab government announced free government bus travel for NEET aspirants from June 20 to June 22.

AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal had said that several students had reached out expressing concerns over travel expenses to examination centres and he mentioned this to the Punjab CM. 

"Many of you (students) wrote to me that some people don't have enough money to travel from their residence to the exam center... I mentioned this to Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann...", he stated. 

Later, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann also announced that students could travel free by simply showing their admit cards while using Punjab Roadways buses during the examination period.

Speaking on the move, Mann had said many economically weaker students struggle even with travel costs while appearing for competitive examinations.

In a post on X, he stated, "Many poor children take the NEET paper. They don't even have money for the fare to go to the centre. Just now, when Kejriwal ji spoke with them, the children demanded help. The NEET paper is on June 21. So, the Punjab government has decided that on June 20, 21, and 22, the fare will be waived for all children going to take the NEET exam on all Punjab Roadways buses. Show your admit card, and you won't have to pay for the ticket."

‘How Many Govt Buses Are…?’ Netizens React

Soon after Bihar's announcement, reactions began pouring in online, with many appreciating the effort while others questioned practical implementation.

One user wrote, “Where are the government buses in Bihar? Students mostly rely on other transport options, and now people are being asked to arrange water and food too?”

Another commented that route details and timings should also be released so students know whether buses are actually available on their routes.

“Information about bus routes and timings should also be issued so children can be assured that bus service is available at this route and time,” the user wrote.

Third user questioned whether buses would arrive on time, saying, “How many government buses are there in Bihar anyway? By the time they arrive, the exam will be over.”

A few users also alleged similarities between Bihar’s announcement and Punjab’s earlier initiative.

Re-Exam To Be Held on June 21

The National Testing Agency officially confirmed that the NEET-UG 2026 re-examination will be conducted on Sunday, June 21.

The agency stated that approval for the retest has been taken from the government of India, and preparations are reportedly being carried out on a “war footing” to avoid disruption to the upcoming MBBS academic session.

The move impacts nearly 22 lakh aspirants whose examination, conducted on May 3, was cancelled after the integrity of the process came under question.

The NTA also said revised admit cards for the re-examination will be issued by June 14 through official channels.

Candidates and parents have been advised to rely only on official NTA communication platforms for updates regarding exam centres, admit cards and schedules.

Why was NEET cancelled?

The NEET-UG 2026 examination was cancelled after investigators reportedly uncovered evidence suggesting that a handwritten “guess paper” containing questions matching the actual exam paper had circulated before the test.

Meanwhile, NTA did not directly use the words “paper leak” in its official notice; this comes after Rajasthan Police’s Special Operations Group (SOG) reportedly uncovered evidence suggesting a coordinated paper leak network linked to the examination.

Investigators allegedly found a handwritten “guess paper” carrying nearly 140 questions that reportedly matched the actual NEET-UG paper. Officials claimed the material included around 600 marks worth of questions out of the total 720 marks, including matching biology and chemistry questions and answer-option sequences.

Preliminary findings suggested that the material may have reached aspirants nearly two days before the examination. 

MBBS Student Under Scanner

According to SOG sources, the alleged leak trail has been linked to an MBBS student from Rajasthan’s Churu district currently studying at a medical college in Kerala.

Investigators suspect the handwritten material was allegedly sent to an associate in Sikar on May 1 before being circulated through coaching-linked networks and career counsellors.

Officials further alleged that the material was sold for prices as high as ₹5 lakh two days before the exam, while the rates reportedly dropped to ₹30,000 a day before the test.

The Government of India has now referred the matter to the CBI for a comprehensive investigation into the allegations and possible leak network.

“NTA will extend full cooperation to the Bureau and will provide all materials, records, and assistance the inquiry requires,” the agency stated.

The investigation is expected to examine the alleged money trail, circulation of leaked material and possible involvement of intermediaries connected to coaching networks.

The Central Bureau of Investigation has already made multiple arrests across states, including consultancy operators, middlemen and alleged members of the leak network.

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