Kashmir Impulse Desk

Srinagar, June 5

Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo on Friday directed district administrations and security agencies to put in place comprehensive arrangements for the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET-UG) re-examination scheduled for June 21, stressing the need for a secure, transparent and disruption-free process across Jammu and Kashmir.

The directions were issued during a high-level review meeting attended by senior officials from the National Testing Agency (NTA), police, civil administration and education departments.

The meeting focused on finalising logistical and security preparations for the examination, which is one of India’s largest entrance tests for undergraduate medical courses.

Dulloo emphasised the importance of meticulous planning and coordination among all agencies involved in conducting the examination.

“The conduct of the examination must be fair, transparent and completely secure,” he told officials, according to participants in the meeting.

The chief secretary instructed deputy commissioners to personally oversee preparations in their respective districts and coordinate closely with police authorities and NTA-appointed city coordinators.

He also directed authorities to prepare detailed checklists covering all aspects of examination management, from security arrangements to infrastructure readiness.

Officials discussed district-wise preparedness, including the number of examination centres, availability of personnel and arrangements for transportation and monitoring.

Dulloo said examination centres should, wherever possible, be established in government educational institutions and thoroughly inspected well in advance of the examination date.

Particular emphasis was placed on surveillance and anti-cheating measures.

The chief secretary directed district administrations to ensure the availability and proper functioning of CCTV surveillance systems, mobile signal jammers and uninterrupted electricity supply at all centres.

Authorities were also instructed to provide backup power systems, drinking water and other basic facilities for candidates.

The review comes amid heightened scrutiny of national-level examinations following concerns raised in recent years regarding examination integrity and alleged irregularities.

Officials said the administration was determined to ensure that students appearing for the examination faced no inconvenience.

National Testing Agency Director General Abhishek Singh briefed the meeting on technology-driven measures being implemented to strengthen transparency and security during the conduct of the test.

According to Singh, inspections of all designated examination centres are expected to be completed by June 14.

He also highlighted the role of State Level Coordination Committees and District Level Coordination Committees established to oversee preparations and ensure coordination among various agencies.

A significant portion of the discussion focused on combating misinformation related to the examination.

Singh urged authorities to closely monitor social media platforms and act promptly against the spread of rumours or unverified information that could create confusion among candidates.

Officials said false information circulating online had the potential to adversely affect students preparing for the examination and could undermine public confidence in the process.

The meeting was attended by the principal secretary (Home), the additional director general of police for law and order, senior education department officials, divisional commissioners, inspectors general of police and deputy commissioners from across Jammu and Kashmir.

District officials joined the meeting through video conferencing.

The NEET examination serves as the gateway to undergraduate medical and dental courses across India and is taken annually by hundreds of thousands of students.

Authorities said preparations would continue over the coming weeks to ensure the smooth conduct of the examination across all districts of Jammu and Kashmir.