New Delhi: It’s as much an examination for over 22.5 lakh students as it is for India’s Education minister.
Hours before the commencement of the NEET-UG 2026 re-test, the under-pressure Dharmendra Pradhan urged everyone to act responsibly at this critical juncture.
“If you are responsible, if you consider yourself a true citizen of India, if you represent the people of India, please take responsibility. Don’t cause any further ha
rdship or suffering to the children of India. This is our request to you,” Pradhan appealed to those who had in the past “treated children with ulterior motives and ill intentions”.
Addressing reporters at a yoga event at Delhi University, the Union minister — who ignored calls to resign after irregularities in national-level exams including cancellation of NEET-UG due to paper leak – had words of advice for the students set to take the re-test for admission to medical colleges.
“I urge all of them to sit for the exam fearlessly and without anxiety. Remain calm and confident, and I am sure you will perform well,” Pradhan said.
He expressed complete faith in the National Testing Agency (NTA), the state governments, district administrations, the education community of the country, especially the students of India.
The re-NEET is being conducted after the May 3 exam was cancelled nine days later after it came to light that a paper had been leaked.
Sunday’s test – from 2 pm to 5.15 pm — is being organised under unprecedented security across the country.