NEET PG 2026: JP Nadda reviews exam preparedness, asks aspirants to ignore paper leak rumours

Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda reviewed the preparedness for the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test for Postgraduate (NEET PG) 2026. He directed authorities to ensure that the examination is conducted in a smooth, secure, transparent and candidate-friendly manner. The National Board of Examinations (NBE) will conduct NEET PG 2026 examination on August 30 in a single shift across around 340 cities and over 1,300 examination centres.

A total of 2,73,183 candidates have registered for NEET PG 2026. This marks an increase of over 12.5% compared to last year.

Nadda emphasised that efforts are being made to uphold the highest standards of integrity and security while ensuring a hassle-free experience for candidates.

Also read NEET UG Counselling 2026: Information bulletin out at mcc.nic.in; major changes

The minister also urged aspirants not to believe rumours or fraudulent claims related to the examination, particularly those concerning paper leaks.

He highlighted that the final question paper is selected through a highly secure, encrypted and time-bound process shortly before the commencement of the examination, with multiple layers of technological and operational safeguards ensuring its confidentiality until the scheduled start time. Therefore, candidates are advised to rely only on official updates issued by the NBEMS and the Union Health Ministry .

Student-centric reforms

While filling out the application form, candidates were asked to provide three preferred states for test centre allotment, with the corresponding state as the mandatory first preference to improve accessibility.

This time the exam city intimation slip will be shared nearly three weeks before the examination, allowing candidates more time to plan their travel and accommodation.

Also read MCC NEET UG 2026 counselling schedule out for MBBS, BDS admissions; registration from August 5

NBEMS has also revised the examination pattern to 180 questions to be answered in 210 minutes, giving candidates more time per question while retaining the overall duration of the test.

Aadhaar-based authentication has been integrated during both registration and on the examination day, while iris-based biometric verification will be used wherever fingerprint authentication is unsuccessful.

To strengthen security, the examination will be conducted under a multi-layered monitoring framework that includes CCTV surveillance, biometric verification, candidate frisking, signal jammers, live monitoring through command centres and real-time supervision by independent observers.

More than 60,000 examination personnel will be deployed across centres. NBEMS has also operationalised a dedicated email address for reporting impersonation and other unfair practices, as part of measures to ensure a transparent examination process.

Also read NEET Counselling 2026: In NMC’s new rules for PwBD admissions, individualised reports, chance to appeal

The end-to-end question paper preparation and delivery process has been further reinforced through multiple layers of encryption, secure offline preparation, time-bound finalisation of the question paper shortly before the examination, and controlled digital decryption only at the scheduled commencement of the test.