New Delhi: Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda, on Friday reviewed the preparedness for the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test for Postgraduate (NEET-PG) 2026, scheduled to be held on August 30, 2026, with a focus on ensuring the examination is conducted in a smooth, secure, transparent and technology-enabled manner.
During the review meeting, the Minister assessed the preparedness of the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS), technology partners and other stakeholders involved in conducting the nationwide examination. He was briefed on examination logistics, candidate facilitation measures, the security architecture and the technology-driven interventions introduced for this year’s examination.
Emphasising the importance of maintaining the integrity of the examination process, Shri Nadda directed all concerned agencies to make every effort to ensure that NEET-PG 2026 is conducted in a fair, transparent and candidate-friendly manner while upholding the highest standards of security and credibility.
Over 2.73 Lakh Candidates Registered
The Minister was informed that 2,73,183 candidates have successfully registered for NEET-PG 2026, representing an increase of more than 12.5 per cent compared to the previous year.
To improve accessibility, the examination will be conducted in a single shift across approximately 340 cities and more than 1,300 examination centres throughout the country.
Candidates Advised Against Rumours
Shri Nadda urged candidates not to fall prey to rumours, misinformation or fraudulent claims regarding the examination.
He explained that the final question paper is selected through a highly secure, encrypted and time-bound process shortly before the examination begins, with multiple technological and operational safeguards ensuring complete confidentiality until the scheduled commencement of the test.
The Minister categorically stated that any claim of prior access to the question paper is entirely false and intended to mislead candidates. He advised aspirants to rely only on official communications issued by NBEMS and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, and to immediately report any suspicious activities or attempts at unfair practices.
Student-Centric Reforms Introduced
The Government has introduced several candidate-friendly reforms for NEET-PG 2026, including:
- Expanded Choice of Test Locations: Candidates are required to indicate three state preferences, with their correspondence state as the mandatory first preference, helping allot examination centres closer to their place of residence.
- Advance Test City Intimation: Candidates will receive information regarding their allotted test city nearly three weeks before the examination, enabling them to make travel and accommodation arrangements well in advance.
- Optimised Examination Pattern: The examination has been rationalised to 180 questions to be answered in 210 minutes, providing candidates with more time per question while maintaining the overall duration of the examination.
- Enhanced Authentication Measures: Aadhaar-based authentication has been incorporated during both the application process and on the examination day. Iris-based biometric verification will be used wherever fingerprint authentication is unsuccessful, further strengthening the integrity of the examination process.
Multi-Layered Security Framework
Reviewing the security arrangements, Shri Nadda was informed that a comprehensive multi-layered security framework has been put in place for NEET-PG 2026.
The measures include:
- Advance sealing and verification of examination centres
- CCTV surveillance across examination venues
- Biometric authentication of candidates
- Candidate frisking
- Deployment of signal jammers
- Dynamic computer allocation systems
- Live monitoring through central and regional command centres
- Real-time supervision by independent observers and appraisers
More than 60,000 examination functionaries will be deployed across the country to ensure the smooth and secure conduct of the examination.
The Minister also reviewed the end-to-end question paper preparation and delivery mechanism, which has been further strengthened through multiple layers of encryption, secure offline preparation, time-bound finalisation shortly before the examination, and controlled digital decryption only at the scheduled commencement of the test.
Dedicated Mechanism to Report Malpractices
To further strengthen transparency and prevent unfair practices, NBEMS has operationalised a dedicated email address for reporting cases of impersonation, touting and other examination-related malpractices. Regular advisories are also being issued to candidates to promote awareness and vigilance.
Shri Nadda directed all concerned agencies to maintain close coordination and ensure that every candidate experiences a smooth, secure and hassle-free examination process. He reiterated the Government’s commitment to conducting medical entrance examinations with the highest standards of transparency, fairness, security and technological robustness.
The review meeting was attended by Smt. Punya Salila Srivastava, Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare; Dr. Loveneesh G. Krishna, Director General of Health Services (DGHS); Dr. Abhijat Sheth, President, NBEMS; Dr. Vinod Kotwal, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare; Shri Kumar Rahul, Director, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare; Dr. Raghav Langer, Secretary, National Medical Commission (NMC); and Dr. Minu Bajpai, Honorary Executive Director, NBEMS.
