Telegram faces temporary restrictions, AI surveillance and biometric checks intensify, while Assam steps up monitoring to ensure a fair and disruption-free examination
New Delhi: Determined to avoid a repeat of last year’s paper leak controversy, the Centre, the National Testing Agency (NTA) and state governments have unveiled an extensive security framework for the NEET-UG 2026 re-examination on June 21.
In one of the most significant measures, access to Telegram has been restricted until June 22, while its message-editing feature will remain disabled until June 30. Officials said the move aims to curb the circulation of fake “paper leak” claims and disrupt cheating networks.
The examination will also be monitored through AI-powered surveillance, Aadhaar-based biometric verification, facial recognition and live photography. CCTV feeds from centres across the country will be tracked in real time by multiple control rooms and central agencies.
Question papers are being handled under an enhanced security protocol. The Indian Air Force will airlift consignments, while CRPF and CISF personnel will provide multi-layer protection during transportation and storage.
Meanwhile, Assam has announced additional safeguards. District Commissioners and Superintendents of Police have been instructed to personally inspect strong rooms and examination centres. Mobile phones have been banned for everyone inside centres except authorised NTA personnel.
The examination duration has also been extended to 195 minutes, and rough-work pages in question booklets have been doubled. Officials said the measures are aimed at ensuring the “highest standards of security, transparency and fairness” during the re-test.
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