Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda on August 1 reviewed the preparedness for NEET-PG 2026 and directed all concerned agencies to ensure that the examination is conducted in a secure, transparent, technology-enabled, and candidate-friendly manner. He also cautioned aspirants against misinformation and fraudulent claims related to question paper leaks.
NEET-PG 2026 is scheduled to be held on August 30 in a single shift across nearly 340 cities and more than 1,300 examination centres nationwide. According to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, a total of 2,73,183 candidates have registered for the examination, reflecting an increase of over 12.5% compared to last year.
During the review meeting, the minister assessed the preparedness of the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS), technology partners, and other stakeholders. Officials briefed him on examination logistics, security measures, candidate support initiatives, and technology-driven systems being implemented for this year’s test.
Nadda stressed the importance of conducting a fair and smooth examination while maintaining the highest standards of security and integrity. He instructed all agencies involved to work in close coordination to provide candidates with a hassle-free experience.
Addressing concerns over paper leak rumours, the minister clarified that the final question paper is selected through a highly secure, encrypted, and time-sensitive process shortly before the examination begins. He said multiple technological and operational safeguards are in place to maintain complete confidentiality until the scheduled start of the test. Any claim of prior access to the question paper, he said, is entirely false and aimed at misleading candidates. Aspirants were advised to rely only on official communications from NBEMS and the Health Ministry and to report any suspicious activity.
Among the key changes introduced this year, candidates will be required to select three preferred states for examination centres, with their home state being the mandatory first preference. This measure is intended to help allocate centres closer to candidates’ residences. Test city details will be communicated approximately three weeks before the examination, allowing sufficient time for travel and accommodation arrangements.
The examination pattern has also been modified, with candidates now required to answer 180 questions within 210 minutes, providing more time per question while maintaining the overall duration of the test.
To strengthen candidate verification, Aadhaar-based authentication has been integrated into both the application process and examination-day procedures. In cases where fingerprint verification is unsuccessful, iris-based biometric authentication will be used as an alternative.
The minister also reviewed extensive security arrangements, including advance inspection and sealing of examination centres, CCTV surveillance, biometric checks, candidate frisking, signal jammers, dynamic computer allocation, live monitoring through central and regional command centres, and oversight by independent observers and appraisers. More than 60,000 personnel will be deployed to ensure smooth conduct of the examination.
Officials informed the minister that the question paper preparation and distribution process has been further reinforced through multiple layers of encryption, secure offline preparation, time-bound finalisation, and controlled digital decryption only at the scheduled start time of the examination.
To further curb malpractice, NBEMS has launched a dedicated email mechanism for reporting cases of impersonation, touting, and other irregularities, while continuing to issue advisories to promote awareness and vigilance among candidates.