BJP Vs Annamalai Over 'Military-Grade Security' For NEET UG Re-Exam: 'Newly Acquired Toolkit'

Last Updated:June 16, 2026, 15:06 IST

Annamalai argued that the extensive measures could increase stress among students rather than ease concerns over paper leaks.

NEET-UG Re-Exam: A poltical tussle broke out between former BJP leader K Annamalai and the party after the former questioned the extensive security arrangements put in place for the NEET-UG re-examination scheduled on June 21.

The former Tamil Nadu BJP President took a dig at the Centre’s multi-layered security framework for the retest, which includes CRPF and CISF escorts for question papers, Indian Air Force airlift support, AI-enabled CCTV surveillance, biometric and facial recognition checks, multiple rounds of frisking and monitoring by the Prime Minister’s Office.

“Two-tier CRPF+CISF escort with IAF airlift. 4-layer CCTV with AI surveillance. Biometric & facial recognition before entry. Multiple layers of frisking. Multi-level oversight with direct monitoring from the Prime Minister’s office. Yes, you read it right. But these are not arrangements to buy high-level, classified, military-grade software. These are the arrangements made by the Ministry of Education for the NEET retest scheduled for 21st June 2026," he said in a post on X.

Annamalai argued that the extensive measures could increase stress among students rather than ease concerns over paper leaks.

“An increase in scrutiny before entry, extended frisking, and an increase in the overall exam time from 180 minutes to 195 minutes will only add to their already ballooning exam pressure."

“While the government has taken measures to contain leaks, they have forgotten the additional burden they have imposed on a young student before they take up an assessment, one that they have spent months preparing for, dissolving the entire purpose of our exam system and the NEP 2020’s goal to reduce ‘Exam Stress'", he said.

Annamalai also questioned whether the arrangements were in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020’s objective of reducing exam-related stress. He further pointed to reported difficulties faced by candidates in downloading admit cards and warned that logistical issues could worsen anxiety among aspirants.

His remarks drew a sharp response from BJP leaders, who defended the security measures as necessary to ensure a leak-free examination following the cancellation of the original NEET-UG 2026 exam over an alleged paper leak.

BJP leader Selva Kumar said Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan had closely monitored the issue and that the security framework was developed after consultations involving several ministries. He described the additional checks as a temporary, one-time measure aimed at restoring confidence in the examination system.

“The prime minister himself closely monitored the NEET paper leak issue, and the education minister took accountability and has been working round the clock for the past one month," Kumar said in a post on X.

He further acknowledged that students would have to spend an additional 15 minutes undergoing security checks and verification but stressed that the arrangement was temporary and aimed at ensuring a leak-free examination. “This is a one-time measure and from next time it will all be computer-based," he added.

BJP leader Vinod Selvam echoed similar sentiments and said that biometric verification, CCTV monitoring, and security checks are standard practices in any serious, large-scale examination.

He cited the example of the Gaokao, China’s highly competitive, standardised National College Entrance Examination (NCEE), where scores serve as the single determining factor for university admissions.

“China’s Gaokao is taken by over 13 million students every year under some of the world’s strictest examination protocols. Nobody calls it ‘militarization’-they call it protecting merit," Selvam said. “Students deserve confidence in the system, not political fearmongering every time standards are enforced."

More than 22 lakh candidates are expected to appear for the retest.

On May 12, the NTA cancelled the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (Undergraduate), or NEET, held on May 3 for medical admissions amid allegations of paper leak.

About the Author

Shobhit Gupta

Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degre...Read More

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