The Indian Air Force will provide logistical support for the NEET-UG 2026 re-examination on June 21, with Mi-17 helicopters and other aircraft set to be used for the secure transportation of question papers across the country.
The Air Force will transport confidential NEET-UG question paper packets from 18 designated locations to distribution centres and examination hubs across the country, top sources told media.
The move is part of an extensive security framework put in place to ensure the smooth conduct of the re-test and prevent any recurrence of the irregularities that led to the cancellation of the earlier examination.
Sources said Mi-17 helicopters will be deployed as part of the operation to ensure timely and secure delivery of examination materials, particularly in locations where rapid transportation may be required.
Security agencies and armed forces have been instructed to remain on standby and are prepared to provide any further assistance required for the smooth conduct of the re-examination, sources said.
The decision to deploy IAF assets comes as authorities roll out one of the most stringent security exercises ever undertaken for a national entrance examination. Ahead of the June 21 NEET-UG re-examination, question paper setters, moderators and translators have been moved to a secure undisclosed facility, where they will remain under lockdown until the exam is conducted. Access to mobile phones, laptops, the internet and all forms of external communication has been heavily restricted to prevent any possibility of a paper leak.
Sources said the lockdown of paper setters is only one part of a broader security strategy. The IAF will transport confidential question paper packets from 18 locations across the country, while Mi-17 helicopters are expected to be deployed where required. Security agencies and armed forces have also been kept on standby to provide any additional logistical support needed for the smooth conduct of the examination.
The Centre's heightened security measures follow the cancellation of the original NEET-UG 2026 examination amid paper leak allegations. The June 21 re-test is being positioned as a trust-restoration exercise, with authorities seeking to ensure that every stage, from question paper preparation and transportation to distribution at exam centres, remains secure and tamper-proof.
Source: India Today