Govt deploys CAPF for NEET re-exam

The Union education ministry has deployed personnel from two Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) — the CRPF and CISF — to provide a second layer of security during the transportation of question papers for the June 21 National Eligibility cum Entrance Test for Undergraduate (NEET-UG) re-examination, according to an order seen by HT.

- HT Correspondents

Meanwhile, the National Testing Agency (NTA), which conducts the test, on Friday extended its duration by 15 minutes and redesigned the question booklet with two additional rough pages in what it termed “student-friendly” changes.

The developments come days ahead of the test scheduled for June 21 — 50 days after the one taken earlier by 2.3 mn students was scrapped when authorities received indications that the question paper had been leaked.

According to officials aware of the matter, NTA director general Abhishek Singh wrote to Union home secretary Govind Mohan on June 4, requesting CAPF protection to transport the question papers from June 11 till the evening of the exam on June 21.

Earlier, on June 8, the NTA said it has roped in the Indian Air Force to expedite the distribution of question papers and reduce the delivery time by half — from 8-10 days to 4-5 days.