NTA has not left any stone unturned in the re-examination of neet ug 2026. After the cancellation of the original examination held on May 3, when the news of the paper leak caused a stir, strictness is being taken at every step. Before this big exam on June 21, the mock drill to be held today i.e. on June 20 is no less than a rehearsal. The purpose is not just to show off, but to test every aspect that can make the exam smooth, safe and transparent. Let’s understand what will happen in this drill and what it means.
What is the mock drill plan? Who will be watching?
According to sources, the mock drill will start from 9 in the morning and go on till evening. It will cover more than 5000 exam centres across the country. The exercise will involve over 2.5 lakh security personnel, making it one of the largest security exercises ever.
During the drill, a three-tier security system will be tested at the centres. This means that there will be three different levels of security inside, outside and in the vicinity of the exam centre. Most importantly, the responsibility of security of question papers and answer sheets has been given to paramilitary forces. Apart from this, CCTV surveillance will also be there at every centre so that any kind of irregularity can be monitored immediately.
More than 22 lakh candidates, 5000 + centers – Preparations complete
Over 22.79 lakh candidates are expected to appear for the re-exam on June 21. The exam will be conducted in 551 cities across the country and 14 foreign cities. The exam will be held in pen-and-paper mode from 2 pm to 5:15 pm. That is, the total time will be 195 minutes, which is 15 minutes more than the last time. This extra time has been given so that candidates can do the initial formalities such as biometric verification and filling the OMR sheet comfortably, so that there is no rush during the exam.
Beware of fake news! NTA issues advisory
NTA has also advised candidates to beware of fake messages and scams. The agency has said that any official information related to the re-examination of NEET UG 2026 will be available only on the official website of NTA, neet.nta.nic.in. Apart from this, reminders are being sent to the candidates through SMS, email and WhatsApp. The agency has clarified that the official SMS will be sent only from the ‘NICPEP’ ID and the email will come from ‘no-reply.neet.nta @ nic.in’.
Take precautions: NTA never sends admit cards through any unofficial link, asks for any payment or shares’ leaked “papers. Also, the message coming from NTA on WhatsApp will have a blue verified tick, which must be checked. Also, do not believe any video circulating on social media claiming NEET UG 2026 question paper.
Update on admit card
NTA has clarified that candidates who have downloaded the revised admit card for the June 21 exam need not download it again. This reminder message is being sent to candidates who have not been able to download the admit card yet. Most importantly, the admit cards released for the May 3 exam will no longer be valid, as the exam centres and roll numbers of many candidates have been changed. One centre in Prayagraj has been changed due to administrative reasons (construction work and non-availability of electricity).
Expert opinion: Why does this mock drill matter?
Education experts believe that this mock drill is not just a formality, but a concrete step towards restoring the credibility of the exam. NTA does not want to leave any aspect of transparency and security to overcome the trust deficit that students and parents had after the paper leak incident last time. Through this drill, not only the security personnel deployed at the centres will be trained but also the coordination between various agencies to deal with emergencies will be tested. If any deficiency is found in this drill, then it will get a chance to correct it before the exam, which is a sign of a responsible event.
#NTA will conduct a nationwide #mockdrill today ahead of the #NEETUG re-examination 2026. It is part of the preparations to ensure the smooth, secure and transparent conduct of the examination. pic.twitter.com/PoIByZ2QfJ
— All India Radio News (@airnewsalerts) June 20, 2026
People are also asking
When and why is the mock drill of NEET UG 2026 taking place?
NTA is conducting a nationwide mock drill on 20th June 2026. The main objective is to take stock of the security arrangements, coordination and preparedness ahead of the NEET UG re-examination scheduled on June 21 so that the exam can be conducted in a smooth and transparent manner.
How many candidates will appear in NEET UG 2026 Re-Exam?
Over 22.79 lakh candidates will appear in the re-examination of NEET UG 2026. The exam will be conducted in 551 cities across the country and 14 foreign cities.
Is the May 3 NEET UG admit card valid for the June 21 exam?
No, the admit cards issued for the May 3 exam are no longer valid. NTA has clarified that all candidates will have to download the new revised admit card for the June 21 exam, as many centres and roll numbers have been changed.
What will be the exam pattern of NEET UG 2026 re-exam?
The exam will be in pen-and-paper mode and the duration will be from 2:00 PM to 5:15 PM, i.e. 195 minutes (3 hours 15 minutes). NTA has given four pages for rough work for the convenience of students.
What are the things that candidates have been asked to keep in mind by NTA?
Candidates should seek information only from official sources, avoid fake calls / messages, carry admit card and photo ID, wear simple clothes, and reach the exam centre on time.
What to do if a candidate’s exam centre has changed?
NTA has made changes in some centres, like in Prayagraj. Such candidates will have to download the new admit card and visit the new centre. The old admit card will not be valid.
Expert advice: Things to keep in mind before the exam
In a competitive exam like NEET UG, it is not just the knowledge but also the strategy that matters. According to experts, instead of reading new things the day before the exam, keep faith in what you have read. Keep the admit card, photo and necessary documents in the bag the night before. During the exam, solve the questions in which you have full confidence. Avoid guessing uncertain questions keeping in mind the negative marking. If you find two options confusing in a question, it is better to leave it. Remember, rank is created not only by the right answer but also by avoiding the wrong answer.
The final conclusions: towards a safe and transparent examination
The mock drill on June 20 is an important part of the NTA’s campaign to make the re-examination of NEET UG 2026 as safe and fair as possible. Deployment of 2.5 lakh security personnel, CCTV surveillance at 5000 centres, and security of question papers by paramilitary forces – all these steps show that the agency does not want to leave any stone unturned by learning from past mistakes. However, the bigger the preparation, the greater is the responsibility of the candidates. Avoid fake news, rely on official information, and focus on your preparation. The 195-minute exam on June 21 in pen-and-paper mode will set the tone for the dreams of lakhs of medical aspirants in the country.
Main points
NTA will conduct a nationwide mock drill ahead of the NEET UG 2026 re-exam on June 20, 2026, in which 2.5 lakh security personnel will participate.
As many as 22.79 lakh candidates will appear in the re-examination to be held on June 21, which will be held in pen-and-paper mode from 2:00 PM to 5:15 PM.
NTA has asked to beware of fake news and has identified official SMS and emails.
All the candidates will have to download the revised admit card for June 21, the admit card for May 3 will not be valid.
Paramilitary forces will be deployed for the security of the question papers in the mock drill and CCTV surveillance will be there at all the centres.
Fact-check note
The report prioritises NTA’s official statement of conducting a mock drill on June 20, 2026. All the dates (June 20, June 21) numbers (2.5 lakh security personnel, 22.79 lakh candidates, 5000 + centres, 195 minutes) and other facts have been corroborated from reputed sources like India Today, Hindustan Times, Times of India, NDTV and News18. NTA’s official statement about the fake videos and messages going viral on social media has also been included.