A National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) UG candidate in Rajasthan's Ajmer was allegedly denied entry to her examination centre on Sunday for wearing a burqa, triggering a brief dispute before authorities intervened and allowed her to take the examination.

The incident occurred during the nationwide NEET UG re-examination conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) following the cancellation of the May 3 exam due to a paper leak. More than 22 lakh candidates appeared for the re-test under heightened security arrangements.

According to the student, she arrived at the examination centre wearing the same attire—a burqa and dupatta—that she had worn during the original NEET UG examination on May 3 without facing any objections.

Speaking to reporters, the candidate alleged that centre officials initially asked her to remove her dupatta and later insisted that she remove her burqa before being allowed entry. She maintained that the NTA's guidelines permit candidates to wear religious attire, provided they report early for security checks.

"If the NTA has permitted us, then no one can stop us. If I am not allowed to appear in this attire, I will not take the examination," the student said.

Her father also cited NTA regulations, particularly provisions that allow candidates to wear articles of faith while appearing for the examination. He stated that the family had requested a female staff member to conduct security screening in a private area behind a screen, but claimed the request was initially declined.

Following the complaint, the matter was brought to the attention of officials. The NTA later clarified that the candidate had been permitted to enter the examination centre and successfully appeared for the re-examination.

Ajmer North Circle Officer Shivam Joshi said the issue arose due to a lack of clarity regarding examination rules. He added that after discussions with senior officials, the confusion was resolved peacefully.

"Apart from this, there were no disputes at the examination centre, and all students were admitted smoothly," Joshi said.

The NEET UG re-examination was conducted from 2 pm to 5:51 pm under enhanced surveillance measures. The NTA is now expected to begin the process of evaluating answer sheets and preparing the revised results.

The Assam State School Education Board (ASSEB), Division-I, has declared the HSLC Compartmental Examination Result 2026 today, June 23, at 11 AM. Students who appeared for the supplementary examinations can now access their results online through the official result portal.

The compartmental examinations were conducted from May 29 to June 5, 2026, for students who either failed in one or more subjects in the regular High School Leaving Certificate (HSLC) examination or wished to improve their scores. With the declaration of results, successful candidates can now proceed with admissions to Higher Secondary (Class 11) courses and other academic pathways.

Assam HSLC Compartment Result 2026: How to Check

Students can follow these steps to download their results:

  1. Visit the official SEBA result website at sebaonline.org
  2. Click on the link for HSLC Compartmental Examination Result 2026.
  3. Enter the required credentials, including Roll Number and other details as specified.
  4. Submit the information.
  5. The result will be displayed on the screen.
  6. Download and save the marksheet for future reference.

Students are advised to verify all details mentioned on the marksheet carefully after downloading it.

Importance of the Compartment Examination

The HSLC compartment examination provides students with a second opportunity to clear subjects in which they were unsuccessful during the regular board examinations. It also allows eligible candidates to improve their academic performance and secure better prospects for further education.

The declaration of the compartment result is significant for thousands of students across Assam, as it determines their eligibility for admission to Higher Secondary institutions, vocational programs, and other educational opportunities for the 2026–27 academic session.

What Students Should Do Next

Candidates who have successfully cleared the compartment examination should download and retain multiple copies of their marksheet for admission, counselling, and verification purposes. Schools and educational institutions may require these documents during the admission process.

Students who have not qualified are advised to contact their respective schools or visit the official board website for information regarding future examination opportunities, academic support, and other available options.

The official SEBA result portal remains the authoritative source for marksheets, notifications, and further updates related to the HSLC Compartment Examination 2026.

As the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test for Undergraduate courses (NEET-UG) retest approaches on June 21, data released by the National Testing Agency (NTA) reveals a significant concentration of candidates from a handful of states. More than one-third of all registered aspirants for the re-examination come from just three states—Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra and Rajasthan—highlighting the geographical concentration of India's medical education aspirations.

NEET-UG, the country's largest entrance examination, serves as the gateway to undergraduate medical and allied health science programmes across India. This year's examination process has been marked by controversy after the original test conducted on May 3 was cancelled following allegations of a question paper leak. The re-examination is expected to witness participation from over 22.7 lakh candidates nationwide.

According to NTA data, Uttar Pradesh has emerged as the state with the highest number of registered candidates, accounting for 3,56,291 aspirants or 15.7 per cent of the total candidate pool. Maharashtra follows with 2,22,905 candidates, representing 9.8 per cent of registrations, while Rajasthan has recorded 2,03,470 candidates, contributing 8.9 per cent.

Together, these three states account for 34.4 per cent of all registrations, underscoring their dominant presence in India's medical entrance examination landscape.

The concentration becomes even more pronounced when the next three states are included. Bihar has registered 1,56,061 candidates, followed by Karnataka with 1,45,466 and Tamil Nadu with 1,42,489 aspirants. Collectively, the top six states contribute nearly 54 per cent of all NEET-UG candidates, reflecting the strong demand for medical education opportunities in these regions.

Several other states have also reported substantial participation. Madhya Pradesh recorded 1,18,162 registrations, while Kerala and West Bengal registered 1,13,609 and 1,09,527 candidates respectively. Gujarat, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Haryana and Delhi each contributed between 58,000 and 80,000 candidates. Odisha and Jammu and Kashmir also crossed the 56,000-candidate mark.

Regional analysis reveals notable trends in participation patterns. The Hindi-speaking belt, comprising Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and Delhi, accounts for approximately 44 per cent of all candidates appearing for the examination. Meanwhile, the five southern states—Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh—collectively contribute 23.8 per cent of registrations.

At the other end of the spectrum, some Union Territories and smaller regions have recorded relatively low participation numbers. Lakshadweep has the fewest candidates at just 141, followed by Daman and Diu with 666 registrations and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands with 882.

Among the northeastern states, Manipur leads with 9,475 candidates. Arunachal Pradesh has registered 4,921 aspirants, followed by Tripura with 4,684, Meghalaya with 4,164 and Nagaland with 4,128 candidates.

The registration figures highlight both the immense scale of NEET-UG and the growing competition for limited medical seats across the country. As lakhs of students prepare to retake the examination, the data also offers insight into regional demand patterns and the continuing aspiration among India's youth to pursue careers in medicine.

In a significant move aimed at strengthening higher education infrastructure and improving access for students in underserved regions, the Bihar government is set to commence academic activities in 211 newly established degree colleges from July 1. The initiative is part of the state's broader effort to ensure equitable access to higher education and reduce regional disparities in educational opportunities.

The new colleges are being established under the Bihar government's Saat Nischay-3 programme, specifically through the Unnati Shiksha, Unnati Bhavishya scheme. The ambitious project seeks to address a long-standing gap in the state's higher education network by ensuring that every administrative block has access to a degree college.

According to officials from the Higher Education Department, Bihar currently has 534 blocks, of which 211 do not have a constituent or affiliated degree college. Students from these areas often face considerable challenges in pursuing higher education, including long travel distances, financial burdens, and, in many cases, the need to relocate to other districts. These barriers have frequently contributed to lower enrolment rates and higher dropout levels, particularly among students from rural and economically disadvantaged backgrounds.

The establishment of colleges in all 211 underserved blocks is expected to bring higher education closer to thousands of students, enabling them to continue their studies within their local communities. Education experts believe that improved accessibility could play a key role in increasing enrolment in undergraduate programmes while promoting greater participation of women and first-generation learners in higher education.

With the July 1 deadline approaching, the Higher Education Department has intensified preparations to ensure that academic sessions begin on schedule. Recruitment processes for principals, faculty members, and non-teaching staff are currently underway. Officials are also overseeing the development of essential infrastructure, including classrooms, furniture, administrative facilities, and other resources necessary for the smooth functioning of the institutions.

Higher Education Director Professor N. K. Agrawal stated that preparations are being carried out on a priority basis in accordance with the state government's directives. The department, he said, is working to ensure that the colleges are adequately equipped to begin operations from the first day of the new academic session.

The initiative represents one of the largest expansions of Bihar's higher education system in recent years. Beyond increasing the number of institutions, the project is expected to strengthen the state's educational ecosystem by creating opportunities for local employment, improving educational outcomes, and supporting regional development.

Access to higher education remains a critical challenge in several parts of India, particularly in rural and remote regions. Policymakers have increasingly emphasised the importance of expanding educational infrastructure to achieve the goals outlined in the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which seeks to raise the Gross Enrolment Ratio in higher education and make learning more inclusive.

By establishing colleges in previously unserved blocks, Bihar aims to remove geographical barriers that have historically limited educational opportunities for many young people. If implemented successfully, the initiative could emerge as a model for other states seeking to expand higher education access at the grassroots level.

The launch of classes in these 211 colleges marks a major milestone in Bihar's educational development agenda and underscores the state's commitment to bringing quality higher education within reach of every aspiring student.

As the NEET-UG 2026 re-examination is scheduled for tomorrow, June 21, the National Testing Agency (NTA) is conducting a nationwide mock drill today, June 20, to ensure  there is no gap left for smooth, secure, and transparent conduct of one of India's largest entrance examinations that has become the biggest NEET Controversy.

The mock drill is a part of the NTA's comprehensive preparations for the NEET-UG re-test which will be conducted in pen and paper mode on Sunday from 2:00 PM to 5:15 PM. The exam will be held in 551 cities in India and 14 cities outside India with over 22.79 lakh candidates appearing.

Why Is the NTA Conducting a Mock Drill Today?

This trial run of NEET Re-examination today is to check logistical arrangements, security arrangements, transportation arrangements and coordination between various agencies involved in conducting the medical entrance exam.

The exercise is designed to ensure that all aspects of the examination process run smoothly in advance of the test, according to the NTA. District administration, police departments, city coordinators, observers and examination officials are involved in preparations. 

The move is part of the efforts to make the examination process secure and error-free for millions of medical aspirants across the country.

Massive Security and Administrative Deployment for NEET-UG Re-Test

The NTA has confirmed that it is ready for the re-examination of NEET-UG 2026. To ensure the large-scale operation, 674 city coordinators have been appointed to manage the city-level arrangements and 6,669 observers have been deployed to monitor the examination centres independently

Centre superintendents and invigilators have also been appointed at all examination venues.

In one of the largest examination deployments in recent years, more than 2 lakh personnel, including police officials and district administration staff, have been mobilised to support the conduct of the examination.

Special Arrangements for Students

The NEET-UG re-examination will remain pen and paper based. Candidates eligible for compensatory time under the Persons with Disabilities (PwD/PwBD) category will be allowed to write the examination until 6:20 PM, as per existing guidelines.

The NTA has also coordinated with district authorities and security agencies for the secure transportation of confidential examination materials.

What Students Should Know Before the Exam

Students who are appearing for the NEET-UG re-test are advised to review their admit cards carefully, examination centre details, reporting time and official instructions issued by the NTA for the mock test conducted today.

The mock drill today is a significant step towards ensuring that the NEET-UG 2026 retest is conducted smoothly, fairly, and securely for over 22 lakh aspiring medical students. 

Defending the government's decision to block access to Telegram ahead of the NEET-UG 2026 re-examination scheduled for June 21, Abhishek Singh, Director General of the National Testing Agency, said the measure is intended to curb exam-related fraud, even though determined operators may still bypass restrictions using virtual private networks (VPNs).

In an interview with ANI, Singh acknowledged that the ban is not entirely foolproof. However, he argued that restricting access to Telegram would significantly reduce the reach of fraudulent networks that allegedly exploit students by circulating fake question paper leak claims.

“Even if some operators continue using VPNs, the absence of a large student audience will weaken their business model,” Singh said, adding that the move is aimed at preventing aspirants from losing money and falling victim to scams linked to fabricated paper leaks.

Security Agencies Tracking Fraud Networks

According to Singh, multiple agencies, including the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre, state police forces, special task forces and investigative agencies, have been monitoring suspicious channels and online groups for an extended period.

He noted that fraudulent channels often reappear under different names after being removed, making enforcement challenging. The interconnected use of messaging platforms, file-sharing services and payment gateways by such networks prompted authorities to opt for broader preventive measures ahead of the examination.

Massive Logistical Challenge

Responding to criticism that the government has adopted excessive measures, including deploying military resources and blocking an entire platform, Singh said the actions were necessary to safeguard students and maintain the integrity of the examination.

He highlighted that the NEET re-examination had to be organised within just 37 days, compared to the usual five to six months required for planning and execution.

The compressed timeline involved:

  • Setting question papers
  • Proofreading and verification
  • Translation into 13 languages
  • Printing approximately 22 lakh question papers
  • Secure transportation to examination centres

Singh said support from the Indian Air Force and the Ministry of Defence helped reduce transportation timelines from nearly three weeks to just three or four days.

Multi-Layered Security Measures

The NTA chief said additional security layers have been introduced at every stage of the examination process, including question paper preparation, translation, printing, storage and distribution.

To ensure smooth conduct of the examination, the agency has coordinated with several government bodies, including:

  • Ministry of Home Affairs
  • Paramilitary forces
  • India Post
  • Ministry of External Affairs
  • State governments and police departments

The NEET-UG 2026 re-examination is scheduled to be conducted across 5,440 examination centres in India and 14 centres overseas.

The government's actions come amid heightened scrutiny of examination security following allegations of irregularities, with authorities seeking to reassure students and parents that stringent safeguards are in place to ensure a fair and transparent testing process.

As the NEET-UG 2026 re-examination is scheduled for tomorrow, June 21, the National Testing Agency (NTA) is conducting a nationwide mock drill today, June 20, to ensure  there is no gap left for smooth, secure, and transparent conduct of one of India's largest entrance examinations that has become the biggest NEET Controversy.

The mock drill is a part of the NTA's comprehensive preparations for the NEET-UG re-test which will be conducted in pen and paper mode on Sunday from 2:00 PM to 5:15 PM. The exam will be held in 551 cities in India and 14 cities outside India with over 22.79 lakh candidates appearing.

Why Is the NTA Conducting a Mock Drill Today?

This trial run of NEET Re-examination today is to check logistical arrangements, security arrangements, transportation arrangements and coordination between various agencies involved in conducting the medical entrance exam.

The exercise is designed to ensure that all aspects of the examination process run smoothly in advance of the test, according to the NTA. District administration, police departments, city coordinators, observers and examination officials are involved in preparations. 

The move is part of the efforts to make the examination process secure and error-free for millions of medical aspirants across the country.

Massive Security and Administrative Deployment for NEET-UG Re-Test

The NTA has confirmed that it is ready for the re-examination of NEET-UG 2026. To ensure the large-scale operation, 674 city coordinators have been appointed to manage the city-level arrangements and 6,669 observers have been deployed to monitor the examination centres independently. 

Centre superintendents and invigilators have also been appointed at all examination venues.

In one of the largest examination deployments in recent years, more than 2 lakh personnel, including police officials and district administration staff, have been mobilised to support the conduct of the examination.

Special Arrangements for Students

The NEET-UG re-examination will remain pen and paper based. Candidates eligible for compensatory time under the Persons with Disabilities (PwD/PwBD) category will be allowed to write the examination until 6:20 PM, as per existing guidelines.

The NTA has also coordinated with district authorities and security agencies for the secure transportation of confidential examination materials.

What Students Should Know Before the Exam

Students who are appearing for the NEET-UG re-test are advised to review their admit cards carefully, examination centre details, reporting time and official instructions issued by the NTA for the mock test conducted today.

The mock drill today is a significant step towards ensuring that the NEET-UG 2026 retest is conducted smoothly, fairly, and securely for over 22 lakh aspiring medical students. 

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