Burqa row, sacred thread dispute, admit card mix-up: NEET re-test day unfolds
The NEET UG 2026 re-test began under unprecedented security measures, but several centres reported last-minute controversies. From disputes over hijabs and sacred threads to a candidate arriving at the wrong centre with an old admit card, examination day saw a series of unexpected incidents.
The NEET UG 2026 re-test began on Sunday for around 22 lah students under some of the tightest security arrangements ever seen for a national examination.
While authorities focused on preventing any repeat of the paper leak controversy, several centres reported last-minute disputes and confusion before students entered examination halls.
BURQA DISPUTE IN AJMER
In Ajmer, a candidate alleged she was asked to remove her burqa before being allowed into the examination centre.
Speaking to ANI, Kulsum Bano, who had travelled from Beawar for the exam, said she had appeared for the May 3 examination in the same attire and questioned why objections were being raised now.
"If the NTA has permitted us, these people cannot stop us," she said. "If I am to take the exam and they don't allow me in this attire, then I simply won't take it. The exam doesn't matter to me; what matters is my burqa and my identity."
The incident drew attention outside the centre as security personnel implemented enhanced screening procedures.
HIJAB AND KALAVA ROW IN AHMEDABAD
A separate controversy surfaced at an examination centre in Ahmedabad's Vastrapur area.
According to local officials and parents, some Muslim candidates were initially asked to remove their hijabs, while sacred kalava threads worn by some Hindu students were cut during security checks.
The move sparked protests from parents outside the centre. Police later said the issue arose because some security personnel were unaware of the applicable examination guidelines.
Following intervention, Muslim candidates were allowed to enter wearing hijabs and Hindu students were permitted to retain their kalava threads. However, parents whose children's threads had already been cut expressed anger and demanded uniform implementation of rules.
Officials said the issue was resolved before the examination commenced.
Check out the official NTA document concerning dress code and prohibited items:
RUDRAKSHA AND SACRED THREADS REMOVED IN GURUGRAM
Similar complaints emerged from examination centres in Gurugram, Haryana, where some candidates and parents alleged that security personnel removed rudraksha beads and cut religious threads worn by students before allowing entry.
According to local reports, the incidents were reported at centres including Kadipur Senior Secondary School and Government College, Sector 9. Parents claimed that red and black sacred threads tied around students' wrists were cut during frisking, while some candidates were asked to remove rudraksha beads from around their necks.
The issue triggered protests from parents, who argued that security checks should not come at the cost of religious sentiments. Many questioned why such items were being removed despite repeated assurances that candidates would be allowed to appear for the examination while wearing religious symbols that did not pose a security concern.
The reports added to a broader debate over how dress code and security guidelines were being interpreted at examination centres across the country.
NEET-UG 2026 Re-Test Live Updates
OLD ADMIT CARD CAUSES PANIC
Meanwhile, in Alwar, a candidate narrowly avoided missing the examination after reaching the wrong centre with an old admit card.
According to officials who spoke to India Today, the student arrived at the same centre where she had appeared for the earlier May examination. During document verification, staff discovered that her roll number and examination centre had changed for the re-test.
After checking online records, officials found that her actual centre was in Rajgarh, around 40 kilometres away. With her family already gone, school authorities arranged a vehicle and rushed her to the correct venue.
SECURITY TIGHTER THAN EVER
Across several centres, candidates underwent extensive screening before entry. Officials checked admit cards, identity documents and biometric details.
Across multiple states, candidates reported being asked to remove nose pins, wrist threads, religious beads and other accessories as security personnel enforced examination guidelines. While officials maintained that the checks were aimed at ensuring a fair examination, several incidents triggered protests from parents and students over the handling of religious attire and symbols.
The strict measures are part of the NTA's nationwide effort to restore confidence in the examination process after the cancellation of the original NEET UG 2026 test following the paper leak controversy.
The NEET UG 2026 re-test began on Sunday for around 22 lah students under some of the tightest security arrangements ever seen for a national examination.
While authorities focused on preventing any repeat of the paper leak controversy, several centres reported last-minute disputes and confusion before students entered examination halls.
BURQA DISPUTE IN AJMER
In Ajmer, a candidate alleged she was asked to remove her burqa before being allowed into the examination centre.
Speaking to ANI, Kulsum Bano, who had travelled from Beawar for the exam, said she had appeared for the May 3 examination in the same attire and questioned why objections were being raised now.
"If the NTA has permitted us, these people cannot stop us," she said. "If I am to take the exam and they don't allow me in this attire, then I simply won't take it. The exam doesn't matter to me; what matters is my burqa and my identity."
The incident drew attention outside the centre as security personnel implemented enhanced screening procedures.
HIJAB AND KALAVA ROW IN AHMEDABAD
A separate controversy surfaced at an examination centre in Ahmedabad's Vastrapur area.
According to local officials and parents, some Muslim candidates were initially asked to remove their hijabs, while sacred kalava threads worn by some Hindu students were cut during security checks.
The move sparked protests from parents outside the centre. Police later said the issue arose because some security personnel were unaware of the applicable examination guidelines.
Following intervention, Muslim candidates were allowed to enter wearing hijabs and Hindu students were permitted to retain their kalava threads. However, parents whose children's threads had already been cut expressed anger and demanded uniform implementation of rules.
Officials said the issue was resolved before the examination commenced.
Check out the official NTA document concerning dress code and prohibited items:
RUDRAKSHA AND SACRED THREADS REMOVED IN GURUGRAM
Similar complaints emerged from examination centres in Gurugram, Haryana, where some candidates and parents alleged that security personnel removed rudraksha beads and cut religious threads worn by students before allowing entry.
According to local reports, the incidents were reported at centres including Kadipur Senior Secondary School and Government College, Sector 9. Parents claimed that red and black sacred threads tied around students' wrists were cut during frisking, while some candidates were asked to remove rudraksha beads from around their necks.
The issue triggered protests from parents, who argued that security checks should not come at the cost of religious sentiments. Many questioned why such items were being removed despite repeated assurances that candidates would be allowed to appear for the examination while wearing religious symbols that did not pose a security concern.
The reports added to a broader debate over how dress code and security guidelines were being interpreted at examination centres across the country.
NEET-UG 2026 Re-Test Live Updates
OLD ADMIT CARD CAUSES PANIC
Meanwhile, in Alwar, a candidate narrowly avoided missing the examination after reaching the wrong centre with an old admit card.
According to officials who spoke to India Today, the student arrived at the same centre where she had appeared for the earlier May examination. During document verification, staff discovered that her roll number and examination centre had changed for the re-test.
After checking online records, officials found that her actual centre was in Rajgarh, around 40 kilometres away. With her family already gone, school authorities arranged a vehicle and rushed her to the correct venue.
SECURITY TIGHTER THAN EVER
Across several centres, candidates underwent extensive screening before entry. Officials checked admit cards, identity documents and biometric details.
Across multiple states, candidates reported being asked to remove nose pins, wrist threads, religious beads and other accessories as security personnel enforced examination guidelines. While officials maintained that the checks were aimed at ensuring a fair examination, several incidents triggered protests from parents and students over the handling of religious attire and symbols.
The strict measures are part of the NTA's nationwide effort to restore confidence in the examination process after the cancellation of the original NEET UG 2026 test following the paper leak controversy.
