Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan defended the conduct of the NEET UG 2026 re-examination following allegations of paper leaks.

The minister's response comes as the government seeks to restore public confidence in the national medical entrance system after significant criticism from opposition leaders and student groups.

The re-examination took place on June 21, 2026 [4]. According to the ministry, the process was carried out across 5,440 centres in India [2] and 14 centres abroad [3]. Pradhan said that the government had taken necessary steps to ensure the integrity of the test.

NTA Director General Abhishek Singh said the re-examination was conducted error-free and flawlessly [1]. The administration highlighted the scale of the operation to emphasize its success in preventing the irregularities that plagued previous attempts.

Pradhan also responded to criticism from Rahul Gandhi regarding the handling of the exam and the concerns of students. The minister said that Gandhi should apologize for his remarks regarding the row.

Government officials maintained that the logistics of the June 21 exam were secure. The use of thousands of domestic and international centres was intended to maintain strict oversight and prevent the influence of what the government has previously described as the "paper mafia."

Pradhan said the focus remains on providing a fair environment for candidates to compete for medical seats without the interference of leaks or fraud.

“The NEET UG 2026 re-examination was conducted error-free and flawlessly”

The government's insistence on a 'flawless' execution of the re-exam is an attempt to shut down a narrative of systemic failure within the National Testing Agency (NTA). By framing the opposition's criticism as an affront requiring an apology, the administration is shifting the focus from the original security breach to the political conduct of its critics.