With the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) scheduled for June 21, authorities in Madhya Pradesh have intensified preparations to ensure smooth travel and crowd management for thousands of candidates appearing for the examination. The Bhopal Division of West Central Railway has announced a series of measures aimed at facilitating the movement of students and their families across key examination centers in the region.

The examination will be conducted in Bhopal, Guna, Vidisha, Narmadapuram (Hoshangabad), and Ashoknagar. Officials expect the highest number of candidates in Bhopal, where 13,774 students are likely to appear for the test. Other districts are expected to host 1,839 candidates in Guna, 1,709 in Vidisha, 1,283 in Narmadapuram, and 865 in Ashoknagar.

Given the anticipated increase in passenger traffic, railway authorities have placed special emphasis on crowd control, passenger guidance, and train punctuality.

Special Arrangements at Railway Stations

According to Senior Divisional Commercial Manager (DCM) Saurabh Kataria, comprehensive arrangements have been made at all major stations under the Bhopal Railway Division to ensure a hassle-free experience for examinees.

Special crowd management measures will be implemented at station premises, entry and exit gates, and platforms. Additional personnel from the Commercial Department, Railway Protection Force (RPF), and Operations Department will be deployed to manage passenger movement and maintain order.

Railway officials have also activated dedicated announcement systems to provide real-time information and guidance to passengers. These announcements will help students navigate stations efficiently and reach their destinations on time.

Focus on Passenger Assistance

Authorities have planned queue management systems and barricading arrangements to regulate passenger flow at busy locations. Special assistance desks and guidance facilities will also be available to help candidates traveling to examination centers.

Officials stated that railway staff would be stationed at key points to provide directions and support to students unfamiliar with local transit arrangements.

The division has instructed all concerned departments to remain alert and prepared to respond to any unexpected surge in passenger traffic or operational challenges during the examination period.

Emphasis on Train Punctuality

Maintaining train schedules is another key priority for railway authorities. Special monitoring will be carried out at stations connected to examination centers to ensure smooth operations throughout the day.

Officials have been directed to take all necessary measures to keep train services running on time, particularly those trains that pass through or halt at stations serving major NEET examination centers.

The objective is to minimize travel disruptions and ensure that candidates reach their examination venues without delay.

Large Candidate Turnout Expected

NEET is one of India's most competitive entrance examinations, serving as the gateway for admission to undergraduate medical courses across the country. Every year, the examination witnesses large-scale movement of students and guardians, placing additional pressure on transportation infrastructure.

With more than 19,000 candidates expected across the five districts under the Bhopal Division's jurisdiction, railway authorities are treating the event as a major operational exercise requiring coordinated planning and execution.

As the examination date approaches, officials have appealed to students and their families to plan their journeys in advance, arrive at stations early, and follow railway instructions to ensure a smooth and stress-free travel experience.

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has ordered a temporary ban on messaging platform Telegram in India under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000, officials confirmed on Tuesday. The restriction will remain in effect until June 22, covering the NEET (UG) 2026 re-examination scheduled for June 21.

The government has also directed Telegram to disable its message editing feature in India until June 30, even after the exam lifts. This means users will not be able to edit previously sent messages during this period.

According to the National Testing Agency (NTA), the action was taken because certain individuals were using Telegram's edit function to create fake evidence of paper leaks in national-level examinations. "Some people would edit old messages and add question papers or PDFs to them. Later, it was claimed that the paper had leaked before the exam," an NTA press release stated.

Multiple channels demanding money for exam papers

The agency said several Telegram channels were operating under names like "Paper Leaked NEET", "Re-NEET 2026", "Private Mafia", and "REE NEET MAFIAA". Officials said these channels were demanding thousands to lakhs of rupees from students and parents in exchange for purported exam papers.

The Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C), in collaboration with Bihar, Gujarat, and Rajasthan Police, has already taken action against several Telegram channels, groups, and bots. The Ahmedabad Cyber Crime Branch has arrested members of an interstate cyber fraud gang linked to the racket.

Investigations have so far revealed eight Telegram channels, transactions worth approximately ₹1.5 crore, and about 1,000 mobile numbers connected to the fraud, police sources said.

NTA: Ban last resort, inconvenience unavoidable

The NTA acknowledged the ban might inconvenience general users but defended the move as a last resort. "Prior to this, several steps were taken, including the removal of objectionable content. This decision was necessary to maintain the fairness of examinations," the agency said.

The NEET-UG examination, originally conducted on May 3, was cancelled following allegations of question paper leaks in several states. The NTA scrapped the exam on May 12 after investigation found indications of irregularities. The re-examination will now be held on June 21.

Changes made for re-exam

The NTA has increased the exam duration from 180 minutes to 195 minutes for the re-test. Space for rough work has also been expanded in the answer sheet.

NEET serves as the gateway to over 1 lakh medical seats across India, including MBBS, BDS, AYUSH, nursing, and other courses at premier institutions such as AIIMS and JIPMER.

The agency has advised students not to trust unconfirmed information circulating on social media and to rely only on official updates at neet.nta.nic.in. Further details on the ban's enforcement are awaited.

The alleged NEET 2026 paper leak controversy continued to trigger political protests in Madhya Pradesh as the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) announced a demonstration outside the residence of the state Deputy Chief Minister on May 19 in Rewa. The student organisation accused the Centre of failing to protect the integrity of national-level examinations and demanded immediate structural reforms in the testing system.

The announcement came during a press conference held in Rewa on Sunday, where NSUI district president Pankaj Upadhyay said party workers and students would protest by ringing bells and blowing conch shells outside the Deputy CM’s residence. The protest, according to NSUI leaders, aims to highlight what they described as the “silence of public representatives” on repeated examination controversies.

Protest Call Issued

Under its “NEET 2026 Nyay Abhiyan”, the NSUI placed a series of demands before the Centre and examining authorities. The organisation called for the immediate dissolution of the National Testing Agency (NTA), alleging repeated failures in conducting transparent and secure examinations. The student body also demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the alleged lapses in the examination process. NSUI leaders further sought a Supreme Court-monitored CBI investigation into the matter, claiming that only an independent inquiry could establish accountability in the case.

Demands Over Students

Apart from demanding punitive action, the organisation raised concerns over the mental and financial stress faced by students due to repeated examination controversies. NSUI leaders said students affected by the alleged paper leak should receive free mental health counselling and legal assistance. They also demanded that if a re-examination is conducted, the government should provide free travel and accommodation facilities to candidates. According to organisation members, lakhs of students and parents across the country continue to face uncertainty amid reports related to examination irregularities.

Questions On System

During the press conference, NSUI leaders referred to previous controversies linked to national entrance examinations, including the 2015 AIPMT paper leak case and allegations surrounding NEET examinations in recent years. They argued that repeated incidents have raised serious questions over the credibility of the country’s examination system. The organisation also demanded an investigation into the role of coaching hubs such as Kota, Sikar and Jaipur in alleged paper leak networks. NSUI representatives said merely conducting a re-test would not solve deeper systemic issues linked to examination security and accountability.

Congress Joins Protest

Before the NSUI announcement, Congress workers in Rewa also staged a protest over the NEET 2026 issue. Party workers organised a torch march in the city and raised slogans against the Central government. The protestors alleged that repeated examination controversies were damaging the future of students and eroding public confidence in the education system. Congress leaders demanded strict action against those responsible for any irregularities and called for stronger safeguards to ensure transparency in competitive examinations.

Political Heat Rises

The issue has started gaining political traction in Madhya Pradesh as opposition parties attempt to corner the Centre over alleged failures in examination management.

The NEET controversy has already sparked protests in several states, with student organisations demanding reforms in the functioning of the NTA. Opposition leaders have accused the government of failing to prevent leaks despite previous incidents and warnings. Government agencies, however, have maintained that investigations into examination-related irregularities are being conducted as per procedure. No official statement regarding the Rewa protest announcement had been issued till Sunday evening.

Impact On Aspirants

Education experts believe repeated controversies surrounding entrance examinations could impact the trust of students preparing for highly competitive medical and engineering tests. The uncertainty over examination schedules, investigations and possible re-tests has also increased anxiety among aspirants and parents. Student groups have been demanding long-term reforms, including stronger digital monitoring systems and stricter anti-cheating laws. The alleged NEET 2026 paper leak issue has now become a major public interest story, drawing attention from political parties, student organisations and coaching centres across the country.

NSUI leaders said preparations for the May 19 protest are underway and workers from different parts of the district are expected to participate. Security arrangements are also likely to be reviewed by local authorities ahead of the demonstration.

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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 Exam Held in Rewa with Tight Security

Over 5,200 candidates appear for medical entrance test across 12 centres in Rewa district as authorities enforce strict entry and gadget ban protocols

The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) UG 2026 is underway in Rewa district on Sunday, with 5,236 students appearing at 12 designated examination centres. District administration completed all security and logistical arrangements late Saturday night to ensure the exam is conducted in a fair and peaceful manner.

Local police have been deployed in strength outside all centres. Candidates are being subjected to thorough frisking before entry. Officials appealed to students to reach the venues well in time, as entry will close sharply at 12:30 pm.

Smooth Entry Process Begins

Gates opened at 9 am for candidates carrying proper documents. The examination is scheduled from 11 am to 1:30 pm. District officials, including the Collector, personally inspected the centres on Saturday evening to review arrangements ranging from seating to emergency protocols.

According to officials, the focus remains on maintaining complete transparency and preventing any untoward incident. “All necessary steps have been taken for smooth conduct of the exam,” a senior police officer said while overseeing deployment.

Strict Document and Dress Code Rules

Authorities made it clear that no candidate would be allowed inside without an admit card, a valid photo identity proof such as Aadhaar card, PAN card or Voter ID, and a passport-size photograph. 

A strict dress code is also in force. Male candidates have been asked to wear light-coloured clothes and sandals or slippers, while female candidates must wear plain and simple attire. These measures aim to minimise chances of carrying concealed items.

Complete Ban on Electronic Gadgets

All electronic devices, including mobile phones, smartwatches, Bluetooth earpieces, calculators and pen drives, have been prohibited inside the centres. Officials warned that any violation could lead to strict action under relevant rules. 

Parents have been requested not to crowd outside the centres. Separate waiting areas have been created at suitable distances to avoid unnecessary gathering and traffic congestion near the examination venues.

Extensive Security Arrangements

Rewa police and administration have left little to chance. Besides uniformed personnel, plainclothes teams are also keeping a close watch. CCTV monitoring and surprise checks are part of the standard operating procedure this year as well.

The district has been witnessing heightened activity since the past few days with students and guardians arriving from nearby areas. Many candidates reached Rewa on Saturday to avoid any last-minute travel complications.

Significance of NEET for Aspiring Doctors

NEET UG remains the single gateway for admissions to MBBS, BDS and other medical courses across the country. For thousands of students in Rewa and surrounding districts of Madhya Pradesh, today's exam holds crucial importance for their career aspirations in the medical field.

Local educators and parents expressed hope that the exam will be conducted without any technical glitches or disruptions. Many students were seen reviewing notes one last time outside the centres before the entry process began.

The results of NEET UG 2026 are expected to be declared in the coming weeks, after which the counselling process for seats in medical colleges will commence.

District administration urged citizens to cooperate with security personnel and avoid spreading unverified information on social media during the examination hours.