For thousands of students, NEET-UG 2026 was not only a test of academic preparation but also a challenge in managing time, documents, and logistics. Across Madhya Pradesh, several candidates faced unexpected hurdles on examination day, with some nearly missing the country's biggest medical entrance test due to misplaced documents, confusion over examination centres, and navigation errors.

In both Indore and Bhopal, police personnel and traffic officials stepped in to assist students who found themselves in difficult situations just minutes before entry gates closed. While some candidates managed to reach their centres in time with official help, others were not as fortunate and missed the examination altogether.

One of the most dramatic incidents was reported from Government Excellence School Bal Vinay Mandir in Indore, where a student discovered during document verification that she had misplaced her Aadhaar card. As entry without the required identification document was not permitted, the student became visibly distressed and feared she would miss the examination.

Police officers deployed at the centre immediately intervened. After contacting the student's parents, officials arranged for a copy of her Aadhaar card to be sent through WhatsApp. Once the details were verified, the student was allowed to enter the examination hall before the deadline.

Police Step In to Help

Authorities reported several similar cases throughout the day. At one centre in Indore, a candidate from Alirajpur approached a police officer after losing his way while searching for the examination venue. The student had travelled to the city for the examination but was unfamiliar with the location.

After verifying his admit card and examination details, a senior police officer transported him in an official vehicle to the correct centre, enabling him to arrive before entry closed.

In another instance, a student and her mother reached the wrong examination venue. Upon learning that their actual centre was located elsewhere, police officials escorted them to the correct location, helping the candidate avoid disqualification due to late arrival.

Traffic officials also played a crucial role. A student and her father, running behind schedule, sought assistance from traffic police in Indore. Officers arranged immediate transportation, allowing the candidate to reach her examination centre before the reporting deadline.

Google Maps Error Causes Panic

Technology also contributed to confusion for some candidates. A mother from Indore's Silicon City area relied on Google Maps to navigate to her daughter's examination centre. However, after entering only a partial name of the school, the navigation system directed them to a different institution with a similar name.

By the time they realised the mistake, very little time remained. The mother rushed her daughter to the correct venue, where she managed to gain entry moments before the gates were closed. Witnesses said the relieved parent broke down emotionally after the student was admitted.

Similar issues surfaced in Bhopal, where several candidates reported to incorrect examination centres. In one case, a student mistakenly arrived at PM Shri Kendriya Vidyalaya despite her allotted centre being Sarojini Naidu College. Unable to reach the correct venue before the deadline, she missed the examination entirely.

Strict Entry Rules

Examination authorities enforced entry regulations strictly throughout the day. At a centre in Bhopal, a candidate was initially denied entry after arriving without his original Aadhaar card. Although he carried a digital copy on his phone, officials insisted on the physical document as per guidelines. He later obtained the original card and was allowed to sit the examination.

In another case, a candidate who arrived well before the deadline was reportedly denied entry because she did not possess the required photocopy of her Aadhaar card.

Perhaps the most heartbreaking incidents involved three female candidates at a Bhopal examination centre who arrived just 40 to 50 seconds after the gates had closed. Despite reaching the venue moments late, they were not permitted to enter under the examination's strict protocols.

The incidents highlight the logistical challenges that often accompany major competitive examinations. While authorities and police personnel helped many candidates overcome unexpected obstacles, the events also served as a reminder of the importance of verifying examination centres, carrying all required documents, and reaching venues well ahead of time.