'Stay Calm, Trust Yourself': NTA Wishes Lakhs of Students Ahead of NEET-UG 2026 Re-Exam Today

New Delhi: As more than 22.79 lakh candidates gear up to appear for the NEET-UG 2026 re-examination on Sunday, the National Testing Agency (NTA) extended best wishes to lakhs of students as well as   a urges students to remain calm, trust their preparation and approach the exam with confidence.

In a post on X ahead of the examination, the NTA said, “This is the day you've prepared for. Stay calm, trust yourself, and give it your best - you've earned this moment. You've got this. We're rooting for you!”

The re-examination is being conducted following the cancellation of the earlier NEET-UG 2026 test amid the question paper leak and administrative irregularities.

NTA Reminds Students of Key Timings

Along with its message of encouragement, the agency also reminded candidates about important examination-day timings.

According to the advisory, entry into examination centres began at 11:00 AM, while the last entry is permitted only until 1:30 PM. No candidate will be allowed to enter the examination centre after the cut-off time.

The NTA advised candidates to plan their travel in advance and reach their respective centres well before the reporting deadline to avoid last-minute inconvenience.

Documents Candidates Must Carry

The agency has instructed candidates to carry the following documents to the examination centre:

• Admit Card
• Valid Photo Identity Card
• Two Passport-Size Photographs

Candidates have also been advised to stay hydrated and account for possible traffic congestion while travelling to their centres.

Strict Restrictions on Prohibited Items

The NTA reiterated that candidates must not carry any prohibited items into the examination hall.

Prohibited items include:

• Mobile phones
• Smartwatches
• Bluetooth devices
• Earphones and headphones
• Calculators
• Communication gadgets of any kind

Jewellery and Metallic accessories are not allowed

The NTA has also prohibited candidates from carrying metallic items and bulky accessories into the examination hall.

Items not permitted include:

• Heavy jewellery
• Metallic ornaments
• Large belt buckles
• Fashion accessories containing metal components

Authorities have implemented enhanced security measures and frisking protocols as part of efforts to safeguard the integrity of the examination process following the controversy surrounding the cancelled May 3 test.

The agency has repeatedly stressed that strict compliance with examination guidelines will be essential to ensure a smooth and secure conduct of the test.

Dress code 

Religious Attire and Articles of Faith Permitted

The agency has clarified that candidates may wear articles or objects of faith, including religious symbols, kalawas, turbans, hijabs and similar items.

However, candidates wearing such articles must report to the examination centre well in advance to allow sufficient time for thorough frisking and verification by examination staff.

Full-Sleeve Clothing Allowed, But Early Reporting Advised

While light clothing remains the preferred option, the NTA has stated that candidates may wear full-sleeve garments or woollen clothing if required.

Students opting for such attire have been advised to arrive at the examination centre early, as additional security checks may be conducted before entry.

Footwear Rules Candidates Must Follow

The NTA has recommended slippers and low-heeled footwear for candidates appearing in the examination.

Candidates wearing high-heeled shoes or footwear with thick soles may be subjected to additional screening and checks at the entry gate.

Over 22.79 Lakh Candidates to Appear

The medical entrance examination is scheduled to be held from 2:00 PM to 5:15 PM across 5,440 centres in 551 cities across India and 14 centres abroad.

The examination remains one of the country's largest and most competitive entrance tests, determining admission to undergraduate medical courses across India.

Authorities have put in place extensive security and logistical arrangements to ensure the smooth, fair and transparent conduct of the re-examination.

Security Measures Strengthened After Exam Controversy

The NEET-UG 2026 re-examination comes after widespread public outrage over the paper leak and administrative lapses that led to the cancellation of the original examination.

In response, the NTA, along with local administrations and law enforcement agencies, has significantly strengthened security arrangements and operational protocols.

On the eve of the highly anticipated test, the NTA detailed a massive security framework relying heavily on cutting-edge technology and human surveillance working in tandem to eliminate electronic malpractices and cheating. Ubiquitous Monitoring: The examination will be held in more than 95,000 examination rooms, with every single room featuring a dedicated CCTV camera alongside two active invigilators.

AI Eye in the Sky: A staggering 1,38,560 CCTV cameras will stream live feeds to national, state, and ministry-level command centers. These feeds are backed by AI-based tools programmed to analyze footage and automatically flag suspicious behavioral patterns and anomalies in real-time.

Signal Jammers: To combat electronic malpractice, 51,311 jammers have been deployed nationwide to block communications. This includes 17,054 jammers provided by ECIL and 34,257 by BEL.

Massive Personnel Deployment: The human mobilization exceeds 2 lakh personnel. This includes around 6,700 on-site observers supported by over 100 virtual observers monitoring the live digital broadcasts. A Centre Systems Officer (CSO) has also been deployed at each of the 5,440 centers to monitor feeds and resolve local technical issues instantly.

Strict Frisking & Biometrics: A total of 38,795 frisking staff members are stationed at checkpoints. To prevent proxy candidates and identity fraud, the biometric verification team has been doubled to 48,448 personnel, incorporating mandatory face authentication. Systemic Readiness: A comprehensive nationwide mock drill was executed on June 20, testing everything from CCTVs and jammers to biometric hardware, material availability, and even furniture cleanliness.

Officials have said the objective is to restore confidence in the examination system and ensure a "fair, secure and candidate-friendly examination" for all aspirants.

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