Indian Air Force to Manage Logistics for NEET-UG Re-Test

The Indian government is considering the involvement of the Indian Air Force (IAF) for logistics and transportation related to the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET-UG) re-test scheduled for June 21, 2026. This development follows the cancellation of the original examination due to alleged question paper leaks.

Sources within the Ministry of Defence confirmed that a high-level meeting was convened at Defence Minister Rajnath Singh's residence, attended by Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, alongside senior officers from the IAF.

Officials revealed that a proposal has been put forth for the IAF to securely transport the examination papers from their printing sites to various examination centres nationwide. This proposed mechanism aims to minimise potential leaks and reinforce security protocols compared to the current postal method, which has multiple handling points.

An official stated, “IAF will discuss the practical details with officials concerned with the examination to execute the plan if it gets approval from the Ministry.”

The NEET-UG examination, initially conducted on May 3, faced cancellation by the National Testing Agency (NTA) on May 12 due to substantial allegations surrounding an organised paper leak and suspected insider involvement. The matter is now under investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which has made several arrests across multiple states, including Delhi, Rajasthan, and Maharashtra.

This strategic shift to engage the IAF is part of broader government efforts to address concerns regarding the integrity of crucial examinations in India, as recent controversies have raised questions about the robustness of educational assessments. The Ministry plans to finalise this proposal after discussions with the Prime Minister's Office.

As the examination date approaches, the Education Minister faces mounting pressure from various quarters to ensure that this round of NEET is free from irregularities. With over 22 lakh candidates affected by the cancellation of the previous examination, stakeholders are hoping this logistical support from the IAF will restore confidence in the examination process.