NEET-UG Retest: The Indian Air Force (IAF) has flown over 200 sorties over the past four days to transport NEET-UG 2026 re-exam question papers across the country in a major security operation aimed at preventing
paper leaks ahead of the medical entrance re-examination.
As per news agency ANI, citing sources, the IAF used its transport aircraft and helicopters to collect question papers from two distribution hubs and deliver them to examination centres at more than 20 locations nationwide. The distribution mission, operating under tight wraps for the last four days, is expected to wrap up by Wednesday.
The mission started on June 13 as part of the government’s aim to prevent leakage of question papers for the prestigious exam.
The operation comes in the wake of the cancellation of the original NEET-UG 2026 examination following allegations of a question paper leak. The re-examination is scheduled to be held on June 21.
Officials said the Air Force was tasked with ensuring the secure and timely movement of question papers to minimise the risk of tampering or leakage. Due to the sensitive nature of the operation, the IAF has not disclosed specific details of the mission.
As part of the arrangements, transport aircraft and helicopters have been deployed to move the papers to examination centres under tight security. Mock drills were also conducted at some locations to test the logistics and security framework.
Under the proposed plan, the question papers will be flown from Delhi to Madurai by aircraft. From there, they will be transported to the Tirunelveli Armed Reserve Ground in an Indian Army helicopter under the protection of Air Force officials. A mock drill was conducted to test these security arrangements.
An Indian Army helicopter conducted a trial landing at the Tirunelveli Armed Reserve Ground as part of preparations to transport NEET-UG 2026 question papers under enhanced security arrangements.
The NEET examination held last month was cancelled following allegations of question paper leakage, after which authorities announced that the re-examination would be conducted on June 21.
Meanwhile, the National Testing Agency (NTA) restricted access to the Telegram platform in India for a defined and limited period ending June 22, covering the day of the NEET (UG) 2026 re-examination and its immediate aftermath.
(With inputs from agencies)
