'Risks Creating New Set Of Problems': Annamalai Targets NTA Over 'Increased Scrutiny' In NEET Retest

Published 16 June 2026 · education

'Risks Creating New Set Of Problems': Annamalai Targets NTA Over 'Increased Scrutiny' In NEET Retest Published By, Last Updated: June 16, 2026, 11:46 IST A

'Risks Creating New Set Of Problems': Annamalai Targets NTA Over 'Increased Scrutiny' In NEET Retest Published By, Last Updated: June 16, 2026, 11:46 IST A retest for NEET is scheduled to be held on June 21, over a month after the central government announced cancellation of the original May 3 exam over widespread irregularities Tamil Nadu BJP chief K Annamalai questions Centre over increased scrutiny in NEET retest | File image Tamil Nadu BJP chief K Annamalai, who recently exited the party, targeted the Centre days before a retest of the Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET), scheduled for June 21. A retest for NEET — a nationwide medical entrance exam — is scheduled to be held on June 21, over a month after the central government announced cancellation of the original May 3 exam over widespread paper leaks and irregularities. Annamalai highlighted the security arrangements made by the government to ensure the smooth conduct of the NEET retest, expressing concern that the increased scrutiny would add to students’ distress.

In a post on ‘X’, the former BJP leader wrote: “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". 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… K.Annamalai (@annamalai_k) June 16, 2026 Annamalai argued that the measures would add to students’ “already ballooning exam pressure". “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 wrote.

‘Issues With Accessing Admit Card’ Annamalai, a former police officer, highlighted that there are issues with downloading the admit cards and noted that there remained challenges requiring “meaningful solutions." “Despite all these arrangements for the examination, there are issues with downloading the admit cards, and NTA has assured students that it will resolve them at the earliest", he wrote. The former BJP leader expressed concern over the government’s revised approach to conduct the retest. “Yes, there are challenges that demand meaningful solutions. However, I am concerned that the approach devised for the NEET retest may not resolve the issue; instead, it risks creating a new set of problems", he said. Annamalai — widely regarded as ‘Singham’ — recently quit the BJP following differences within the party over its electoral strategy before the Tamil Nadu Assembly Election 2026. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: June 16, 2026, 11:38 IST News india 'Risks Creating New Set Of Problems': Annamalai Targets NTA Over 'Increased Scrutiny' In NEET Retest Disclaimer: Comments reflect users’ views, not News18’s.