The re-conducted National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET-UG) 2026 was held smoothly in the city on Sunday under unprecedented security arrangements, with many students describing the paper as more difficult than the examination conducted on May 3, which was later cancelled. A few candidates, however, were unable to appear for the examination after arriving at their centres after the 2 pm reporting deadline. The National Testing Agency (NTA) conducted the examination from 2 pm to 5.15 pm. The examination was conducted in offline mode with 180 questions from Biology, Physics and Chemistry.

 

A student, on condition of anonymity, told ‘The Hitavada’, “Biology was easy but Physics was a bit tough. I had appeared in earlier examination which was overall easier than the examination held today.” According to Biology expert Dr Sarita Kothari, the Biology paper was moderate but lengthy and largely based on NCERT textbooks. While most questions were direct, several assertion-reason and application-based questions tested conceptual understanding. She noted that Botany was relatively more difficult than Zoology. Students found the Physics section to be the toughest and most time-consuming, while Chemistry was generally rated moderate to easy. Physics faculty Satish More said the paper focused on conceptual clarity and analytical thinking rather than direct formula-based solving.

 

He described it as moderate to slightly difficult and marginally more challenging than the previous year’s examination. Biology expert Manjiri Munje observed that the Biology paper contained 90 questions, with 51 from Class XI and 39 from Class XII. While nearly half the questions were straightforward and directly based on NCERT, several statement-based and match-the-pair questions demanded additional time and analytical skills. Experts believe the higher difficulty level, particularly in Physics, could result in a lower cut-off for medical admissions this year. Dr Kothari said students scoring above 600 marks out of 720 are likely to remain competitive for admission to leading medical colleges through both the State and All India quotas. Following the examination, the NTA is expected to release the provisional answer key, invite objections, publish the final answer key, declare the NEET-UG 2026 results, and subsequently begin the counselling process for medical admissions. Officials said the examination concluded smoothly without any untoward incidents, owing to meticulous planning by District Collector Kumar Ashirwad and the Nagpur Police.

 

 

 

The NEET re-examination was conducted peacefully across Nagpur on Sunday under a massive security arrangement put in place by the city police. From the safe movement of question papers to security at examination centres, police maintained a strict vigil throughout the day. Police personnel were deployed from 6 am and remained on duty till evening. Commissioner of Police (CP) Dr Ravinder Kumar Singal personally supervised the arrangements along with Joint CP Navinchandra Reddy. Three Addl Commissioners of Police, all Deputy Commissioners of Police and officers from police stations across the city remained on the streets to ensure smooth conduct of the examination. The question papers, which had been brought to Nagpur earlier by a special Indian Air Force aircraft and stored in secured bank lockers, were transported to the examination centres under armed police escort. Traffic police provided a green corridor for police vehicles carrying the confidential material to ensure uninterrupted movement.

 

Revenue officials and personnel from other departments also assisted in the operation. After the examination concluded, the answer sheets and other confidential material were collected in the evening under tight security. According to sources, the papers are likely to be flown from Nagpur to Delhi by a special aircraft of the Indian Air Force. Joint CP Navinchandra Reddy monitored the entire operation, while Additional Commissioners and Deputy Commissioners supervised arrangements in their respective zones. Senior officers, inspectors and personnel from local police stations were deployed at all sensitive points. “There was no room for any risk. We had planned the security arrangements well in advance and every officer was assigned a specific responsibility. From 6 am till the end of the operation in the evening, our focus was on ensuring the exam was conducted smoothly and safely. With the cooperation of all departments and the discipline shown by students and parents, the entire process remained peaceful,” said Joint CP Navinchandra Reddy.