New Delhi: The Directorate of Education (DoE), Delhi, has directed all government and government-aided schools to inform eligible Class 12 Science students about a free one-year residential coaching programme for JEE and NEET aspirants. The initiative, offered in partnership with the Dakshana Foundation, aims to support students from economically weaker backgrounds by providing coaching, accommodation and meals at no cost.

According to the circular issued by the Directorate, schools have been instructed to actively spread awareness about the scholarship among students studying in Class 12 Science during the 2026–27 academic session. Along with the circular, schools have also received the Dakshana Foundation's communication to principals and the notification for the Joint Dakshana Selection Test (JDST) 2027, through which eligible candidates will be selected

Students selected under the programme will receive one year of fully residential coaching at the Dakshana Valley campus in Kadus village, Pune, Maharashtra. Besides classroom coaching for JEE and NEET, the scholarship also covers hostel accommodation and meals, ensuring that selected students do not have to bear any financial burden during the programme. 

Admission to the scholarship programme will not be based on direct application alone. Students will first have to appear for the JDST 2027, which is scheduled to be conducted in December 2026. Candidates who qualify will then go through multiple stages, including application screening, mock tests, document verification and interviews before the final list of scholars is prepared

The scholarship is open to Class 12 Science students studying in government, government-aided and eligible public schools. To qualify, applicants must generally have an annual family income below ₹3 lakh. However, this income limit will not apply to candidates belonging to the Persons with Disabilities (PwD) category. Students must also meet the prescribed Class 10 marks criteria in Mathematics and Science, with separate cut-offs applicable for different reservation categories, including General, OBC, EWS, SC, ST and PwD candidates. Eligibility requirements also vary slightly depending on whether a student is preparing for engineering (JEE) or medical (NEET) entrance examinations.

The Directorate has highlighted that many deserving students miss out on such opportunities simply because they are unaware of them. By directing schools to actively publicise the programme, the government hopes that eligible students will receive timely information and be able to apply before the selection process begins. For many aspirants, the cost of coaching remains one of the biggest barriers to preparing for competitive entrance examinations, making scholarship-based initiatives particularly significant.

The Dakshana Foundation has stated that it has been providing free coaching to students from government schools for more than 19 years. According to the organisation, many of its scholars have secured admission to prestigious institutions such as the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), National Institutes of Technology (NITs) and government medical colleges. These achievements have been cited by the foundation in its communication to schools to encourage wider participation in the programme. 

As part of the selection process, shortlisted candidates will first complete the Dakshana Scholar Application, appear for mock examinations and then take the online JDST at designated centres using the Dakshana Scholarship Test mobile application. Those clearing the examination will subsequently be invited for interviews and document verification before the final merit list is announced. The notification also includes details of the examination pattern and syllabus covering Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Biology and Logical Reasoning, enabling students to prepare in advance.

Salman, whose father Shahban runs a tea cart outside the Rewa Municipal Corporation office, scored 640 out of 720 marks in NEET after preparing for nearly two years with complete focus. His achievement has become an inspiring example for medical aspirants, particularly those coming from modest economic backgrounds.

For Shahban, earning enough money to support his family has never been easy. Every day, he serves tea to employees, officials and visitors outside the municipal office. Watching government officers regularly visit the office gradually shaped a dream in his mind—that one day his children would build careers that would change the family's future.

Despite limited income, Shahban ensured that both his sons received a quality education. He prioritised school fees and coaching expenses over many household comforts, believing that education was the only path to a better life.

Salman's preparation was built on discipline rather than expensive resources. According to his family, he deliberately stayed away from smartphones throughout his NEET preparation to minimise distractions. For nearly two years, he focused entirely on textbooks, classroom learning and regular revision instead of spending time on social media or digital entertainment.

His mother, Sitara Devi, also played an equally significant role in his journey. She said the family maintained an environment that allowed Salman to study without interruption. During late-night study sessions, she remained awake to prepare tea and meals whenever needed while continuing to manage household responsibilities and support her husband's tea business early each morning.

The family's sacrifices have now translated into one of the biggest achievements of their lives.

With an AIR of 2221, Salman is expected to secure admission to a government medical college for the MBBS programme. His long-term ambition is to specialise in cardiology after completing his medical education and contribute to healthcare as a heart specialist.

His success has also inspired his younger brother, Shahjaan, who has set his sights on the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Civil Services Examination. According to the family, he dreams of becoming an IAS or IPS officer, continuing the family's journey of educational achievement.

Stories like Salman's continue to resonate because they underline an important reality: access to determination, discipline and family support can often matter more than financial privilege. While competitive examinations such as NEET demand years of consistent preparation, Salman's journey demonstrates that limited resources need not become a barrier to academic excellence.

Education experts often point out that sustained focus and effective time management play a crucial role in competitive examinations. Salman's decision to avoid smartphone distractions for two years has attracted attention as an example of maintaining concentration during preparation.

Following the announcement of the NEET results, neighbours, friends and local residents visited the family to congratulate them on the achievement. For Shahban, who continues to serve tea outside the municipal office, the success represents far more than an examination result—it marks the fulfilment of a dream that began while watching officers enter the government building each day.

Salman's achievement serves as another reminder that extraordinary success can emerge from ordinary circumstances when backed by perseverance, family support and unwavering commitment to education.

Thousands of aspirants appeared for the NEET-UG 2026 re-examination on Sunday amid unprecedented security, but strict enforcement of rules left many latecomers disappointed as entry gates were shut at 1:30 pm sharp at multiple centres.

In Bhopal, students reaching Sarojini Subhash Utkrisht Vidyalaya and PM Shri Central School just 30-40 seconds after the deadline were denied entry. Similar incidents were reported from other cities, including Bengaluru where some students broke down in tears. A few candidates in Bhopal and Chhatarpur reached the wrong centre and missed the exam even after rushing to the correct venue.

The National Testing Agency (NTA) is conducting the re-exam at 5,440 centres across 564 cities, including 14 international locations. Around 22.79 lakh candidates were expected to appear for the pen-and-paper test that began at 2:00 pm and will continue till 5:15 pm — 15 minutes longer than the original duration.

Question papers reached centres under heavy guard. For the first time, the Indian Air Force carried out over 200 sorties using aircraft and helicopters to transport papers, minimising leak risks. More than two lakh security personnel, along with observers and coordinators, have been deployed nationwide. In Srinagar, police were present since early morning, while in Delhi, centres were sealed the previous night.

The original NEET-UG exam was held on May 3 but cancelled on May 12 following paper leak allegations. The CBI is investigating the case, with several arrests already made. Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan appealed to students to stay calm and focus on the exam.

The re-exam has taken a toll on many aspirants. One candidate from Delhi, Supriya, said her first attempt went well and she was hopeful of securing a seat, but the cancellation shattered her plans. Many students spoke of mental stress, especially those who had taken drops. Congress MP Imran Masood criticised the Education Ministry, calling it “incompetent.”

Authorities arranged cooling zones, ORS, water and medical facilities outside centres for parents and students battling heat and anxiety. In Mumbai, despite a BEST bus strike, special services were run. Several states provided free transport to candidates.

In Varanasi, over 25,000 students appeared at 47 centres with full security arrangements. NTA urged everyone to ignore rumours and avoid spreading unverified information on social media.

The Supreme Court is also hearing related petitions. The re-exam is seen as a crucial attempt to restore credibility to the process after the controversy that rocked the medical entrance system.

National Testing Agency chief steps in after an administrative oversight assigned a Nagpur-based medical aspirant to an examination venue in the United Arab Emirates.

Last-minute relief for stressed aspirant

NEW DELHI: In a frantic race against the clock, the National Testing Agency (NTA) has rectified a major technical glitch that had mistakenly allotted an examination center in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, to a medical aspirant residing in Nagpur. The correction comes mere hours before the high-stakes National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET-UG) 2026 re-examination kicks off across the country.

Confirming the resolution on Saturday afternoon, NTA Director General Abhishek Singh stated that the administrative error has been fully resolved, and the candidate, Abdullah Mohammad Talib, has been re-allotted a local examination center within Nagpur city.

Technical glitch triggers sudden panic

The discrepancy came to light just two days before the scheduled June 21 pan-India test, leaving the aspirant’s family in deep distress. Speaking to reporters, the candidate’s father, Mohammad Talib, recounted downloading the admit card on Friday afternoon only to find a foreign school listed as the designated venue despite selecting regional choices.

Following an urgent escalation to the NTA national helpdesk and an exchange of verified emails, testing authorities processed a corrected hall ticket. Officials confirmed that ground-level intervention ensured the rectified document was generated and issued to the student by Saturday afternoon.

Strict security protocols for re-test

The logistical mix-up occurred against the backdrop of an unprecedented nationwide security mobilization. The medical entrance test is being re-conducted after the original May 3 examination was cancelled on May 12 due to confirmed question paper leaks and procedural systemic lapses.

NEET-UG 2026 Re-Exam Metrics:

┌──────────────────────────┬──────────────────────────┐

│ Parameter                │ Total Mobilisation       │

├──────────────────────────┼──────────────────────────┤

│ Total Candidates         │ Over 22.79 Lakh          │

│ National Exam Centres    │ More than 5,000          │

│ Domestic Cities Covered  │ 551                      │

│ Overseas Test Cities     │ 14                       │

└──────────────────────────┴──────────────────────────┘

To prevent a recurrence of past vulnerabilities, the NTA executed a comprehensive nationwide mock drill on Saturday morning. In initial reports from city coordinators, transit vehicles transporting confidential test material have been fitted with active GPS tracking units and are moving under direct police escorts.

States roll out candidate transit support

Local authorities across various states have deployed special emergency measures to facilitate smooth transit for the 2.2 million participating students on Sunday.

• Delhi: Free travel for candidates on all DTC and cluster buses, alongside dedicated cooling zones for parents outside venues.

• Maharashtra: Full-schedule operations of all 1,820 Mumbai local trains with an absolute ban on maintenance blocks.

• Madhya Pradesh & Telangana: Special exam-centric train routes and complimentary state transport bus services upon showing hall tickets.

Clarification issued on admit cards

Amidst growing confusion on digital platforms, the testing agency issued a critical clarification regarding documentation. Candidates who have already downloaded their freshly updated June 21 admit cards do not need to print them again.

Officials emphasized that all admit cards issued during the aborted May 3 cycle stand completely invalidated. This is primarily because thousands of students have been reassigned to brand-new testing venues to meet local security protocols and personal city preferences.

Cyber cells track digital rumors

The pen-and-paper exam is scheduled to run from 2:00 PM to 5:15 PM on Sunday under continuous centralized CCTV monitoring. In a final advisory, the NTA urged students to remain calm, follow the designated dress-code guidelines for early frisking, and completely disregard speculative social media channels. The agency confirmed that federal cybercrime cells are actively monitoring digital handles to penalize any entities spreading fraudulent paper-leak rumors.

NEET Exam Cancelled After Paper Leak: Bihar Solver Gang Bust Raises Fresh Concerns

The National Testing Agency (NTA) on Tuesday cancelled the NEET-UG 2026 examination conducted on May 3, citing serious irregularities including a suspected paper leak and organised cheating networks. A fresh examination will be held on a date to be announced soon after receiving government approval. 

The decision comes amid mounting evidence of leaks and the exposure of a sophisticated “paper solver” gang in Bihar that allegedly charged up to ₹60 lakh to help candidates secure seats.

Midnight vehicle check exposes network

On the night of May 2, police in Nalanda district’s Pawapuri police station intercepted two luxury SUVs — a Scorpio-N and a Brezza — during routine checking. Three persons were detained, including Awadhesh Kumar, an MBBS student of VIMS Medical College. Examination of his mobile phone yielded critical leads that unravelled a larger organised gang. 

Within days, Nalanda police arrested seven members. Further raids based on the primary accused’s identification were carried out in Muzaffarpur, Aurangabad, Jamui and other districts, leading to the arrest of four more individuals. All arrested persons have been sent to judicial custody. 

₹50-60 lakh deal for solvers

Investigations revealed the gang operated on a high-stakes model. It allegedly charged candidates between ₹50 lakh and ₹60 lakh per seat. An advance of ₹1.5 to 2 lakh was collected upfront, after which arrangements were made to replace the genuine candidate with a “solver” at the examination centre. 

Key operatives reportedly included Ujjwal Raj alias Raja Babu, Awadhesh Kumar and Aman Kumar Singh. Among those arrested later were Harshraj, son of a doctor from Sitamarhi, Manoj Kumar from Muzaffarpur, Gaurav Kumar from Bochahan, and Subhash Kumar from the Hathauri area. Police also recovered mobile phones and identity documents of several candidates. 

Rajasthan paper leak trail

Parallel to the Bihar arrests, disturbing details emerged from Rajasthan. Handwritten “guess papers” containing questions that closely matched the actual NEET paper were found with students in Sikar and surrounding areas. The Rajasthan Special Operations Group (SOG) arrested 13 suspects, including a career counsellor linked to a Sikar coaching institute, from Dehradun, Sikar and Jhunjhunu. 

Reports indicate that questions worth around 600 out of 720 marks had reached some students two days before the exam. A significant portion of these handwritten questions — reportedly over 150 — matched the final paper. Investigators are examining whether this constitutes a full paper leak or a sophisticated guess-paper operation circulated through social media and personal networks. 

NTA cites fairness concerns

According to the NTA, preliminary inputs from central agencies on May 8 prompted deeper scrutiny. After assessing the findings and obtaining necessary approvals, the agency decided to cancel the May 3 exam to protect the sanctity of the process. 

Students will not be required to register afresh. Existing application details, including exam centres, will remain valid. Fresh admit cards will be issued and the examination fee paid by candidates will be refunded.

Repeat of past controversies

The development echoes the 2024 NEET controversy when paper leak allegations surfaced from Bihar’s Patna and Jharkhand’s Hazaribagh. While the Supreme Court did not cancel the entire exam that year, a limited re-test was ordered for affected candidates. This time, the scale of reported irregularities and the involvement of an MBBS student in the solver gang have forced a complete cancellation. 

Impact on lakhs of aspirants

For over 20 lakh students who appeared for the exam, the cancellation means months of additional preparation under uncertainty. Many had travelled to distant centres and invested significant time and money. Coaching institutes and parents have expressed concern over the repeated disruptions to what remains India’s biggest medical entrance test. 

Police in Nalanda said raids are continuing to nab absconding members of the solver gang. Central agencies are meanwhile working to trace the full chain in the Rajasthan case, including possible links between coaching hubs and question paper handlers. 

The fresh NEET exam is expected to be conducted under tighter security protocols, though the exact schedule is awaited. For now, the focus remains on restoring credibility to a process that determines the future of India’s next generation of doctors. 

NEET UG 2026: Rewa readies 12 centres amid tight security

District gears up for May 3 medical entrance test with anti-cheating focus and on-ground inspections to ensure fair play.

Rewa administration has swung into action for the NEET UG 2026 exam scheduled for May 3, setting up 12 centres across the district. Officials are leaving no stone unturned to conduct the high-stakes medical entrance test smoothly and without incidents of malpractice.

Collector Narendra Kumar Suryavanshi and Superintendent of Police Shailendra Singh Chauhan carried out inspections at several centres on Thursday. They checked facilities on the ground and issued directions to centre heads.

Anti-cheating drive intensifies

Authorities have ramped up surveillance to curb cheating, a persistent concern in such exams. Adequate police personnel will be deployed at all 12 centres, keeping a close watch on security arrangements.

Initial reports indicate jammers and CCTV cameras will be in place to prevent any electronic malpractice. Additional District Collector Sapna Tripathi joined the inspection rounds, ensuring comprehensive coverage.

Local sources said the measures stem from past incidents where leaks and unfair practices marred similar tests. "We are in full alert mode," one official remarked during the visit.

Facilities get thorough check

The collector stressed that examinees should face no hassles. He directed centre in-charges to maintain drinking water, toilets, seating, electricity, and other essentials in top order.

Inspections covered morning hours, with teams moving from one site to another. Centre supervisors reported ongoing preparations, including biometric checks and document verification protocols.

Students have been urged to arrive early, carry admit cards and required IDs, and follow rules strictly. This comes as thousands of aspirants from Rewa and nearby areas gear up for the single-day showdown.

Why Rewa matters for NEET

Rewa, in Madhya Pradesh's Vindhya region, hosts a significant number of NEET candidates every year. The district's 12 centres cater to local talent aiming for medical and dental seats across India.

Background checks show NEET UG remains the gateway to over 1 lakh MBBS and BDS seats nationwide. With competition fiercer than ever—lakhs appearing for limited spots—fairness is paramount.

Past years saw disruptions in MP districts due to paper leaks, prompting stricter national guidelines this time around.

Public appeal for cooperation

Administration sources familiar with the matter said coordination with local bodies is underway. Traffic management around centres and quick-response teams are also on standby.

Examinees and parents have welcomed the proactive steps. "It's reassuring to see such vigilance," a local coaching centre owner noted, speaking on condition of anonymity.

The district magistrate reiterated that any violation will invite strict action under exam laws.

What's next on May 3

Come Saturday, gates will likely open early morning, with exams running through the day. Post-exam, answer keys and results timelines will follow National Testing Agency protocols.

For now, Rewa stays focused on pulling off a glitch-free NEET UG 2026. Officials expect full compliance from all sides, setting the stage for aspiring doctors to compete on merit.