New Delhi, May 20
The Center has stepped up preparations for the NEET UG 2026 re-examination with a focus on tighter security and action against misinformation being spread online. Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan chaired a high-level meeting on Wednesday with security and intelligence agencies to review arrangements for the upcoming medical entrance retest.
During the meeting, the minister directed authorities to take strict action against fake Telegram channels and anonymous social media groups that circulate false claims about paper leaks and examination procedures. Officials said the government is aiming to ensure the exam is conducted in a safe, fair, and transparent manner.
Senior officials from the Ministry of Education and the National Testing Agency reviewed security plans and discussed possible vulnerabilities ahead of the examination. Preventive and corrective measures were also examined to avoid any disruption during the test process.
In a separate interaction with representatives from major social media platforms, including Meta, Google, and Telegram, concerns were raised over the spread of misinformation before competitive examinations. Officials noted that several fake channels become active ahead of exams, sharing misleading claims about paper leaks and unverified content that often creates panic among students and parents.
According to officials, many of these suspicious links redirect users to automated bots and fake groups that amplify misinformation online. Intelligence agencies have also indicated that some of these channels are being operated in a coordinated manner using a limited number of phone numbers.
Pradhan asked social media companies to work closely with the Ministry of Education, the NTA, and law enforcement agencies to quickly identify and remove misleading content. He said protecting students from false narratives and maintaining trust in the examination system remains a priority for the government.
The original NEET UG 2026 examination, conducted on May 3 for undergraduate medical admissions, was canceled following allegations of a paper leak. The matter is currently under investigation by the CBI, and the re-examination is scheduled for June 21.
