VK News Today https://validator.w3.org/feed/docs/rss2.html Updated: Jun 22, 2026, 03:38 IST Women’s T20 World Cup: South Africa script history with stunning chase against India, surpass Australia’s record Gold, Silver Rate Today Live Updates: International gold, silver prices rebound on US-Iran peace talks CBSE Class 12th re-evaluation result released at digilocker.gov.in: Direct link to download scorecards here ‘Ente Peru Pennu’ fame Gowry Lekshmi marries Kalesh Govindan; Wedding pictures win hearts online Virat Kohli grooves to Karan Aujla’s ‘Winning Speech’ at grand Delhi event – Watch viral video | Hindi Movie News NEW DELHI: PM Narendra Modi Sunday delayed his travel to his residence after arriving at IGI airport from Kolkata to ensure that no candidate appearing in the NEET re-examination faced any inconvenience due to traffic restrictions.People aware about this said that after arriving at IGI airport around 1.15pm, Modi chose to wait at the airport instead of immediately leaving for his residence at Lok Kalyan Marg.PM Modi left for his residence only after the exam commenced at 2pm.BJP slams Cong for B’luru traffic jam: BJP on Sunday slammed Congress for a political event in Bengaluru’s Malleshwaram, which caused a traffic jam, resulting in some students reaching a NEET-UG exam centre late.Bangalore South MP Tejasvi Surya on X, said, “Congress could have chosen any other day for its rally at Palace Grounds. Instead, it chose the very day thousands of students are appearing for NEET.”Targetting Rahul Gandhi, the BJP MP said for weeks he has been “shedding crocodile tears over students and exams”.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosNihangs Storm Rudraprayag Gurdwara, Hold Manager Hostage on Roof Over Karnaprayag ArrestsKarnataka Cross-Voting Row: BJP MLAs to Take Oath Before Lord Manjunatha in Dharmasthala‘Useless Fellows’: Kharge Loses Cool After Congress Workers Raise ‘DK-DK’ SlogansNEET UG Re-Exam Ends for 22 Lakh Candidates, Students Say Paper Was Tougher Than May 3 TestTMC MP Abhishek Banerjee’s Close Aide, Sumit Roy, Booked in Fraud and Forgery CaseRebel Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Nagesh Patil Ashtikar Joins Shinde Sena, Cites Hurt Over Party Remarks7 Workers Die, Over 40 Hospitalised After Ammonia Gas Leak At Seafood Processing Unit In Tamil NaduAjmer NEET Re-Exam: Muslim Student Wearing Hijab Alleges She Was Denied Entry At Exam Centre’Samajwadi Party, Congress Using Ram for 2027 UP Elections’: VHP Chief on Ram Mandir Donation RowConstruction Begins on ₹2,935 Crore Indore-Ujjain Greenfield Corridor After Farmer Protests123PhotostoriesBLACKPINK’s Lisa’s style evolution: From K-pop neon queen to quiet luxury iconFrom Samatha Ruth Prabhu to Shikhar Dhawan: 10 Indian celebrities who found love again and got married after divorceBigg Boss Malayalam 8 Agnipariksha: 5 Ex-contestants who would be the best picks as judges10 countries where travel insurance is mandatory for tourists5 road trips in India that are not meant for first-time drivers – what travellers need to knowJungkook’s style evolution: From bold eyeliner to the king of quiet luxuryTaking creatine? 5 things you should know first, NYC doctor explainsUttarakhand SOG officer dies after collapsing at gym; Doctor explains why even fit people can suffer sudden medical emergencies10 baby boy names inspired by stars and constellations5 bad hair habits that could be making your hair fall worse123Hot PicksPetrol, diesel rateMilk price hikeIndia-US trade dealJIO IPODelih weatherGwalior-Prayagraj ExpressWeather forecast tomorrowIndane gas KYCKeir Starmer resignationTop TrendingNEET re examUS-Iran WarYoga Day 2026FIFA World Cup 2026Abhijeet DipkeTamil Nadu Ammonia Gas LeakNEET UG ExamUP Police Constable answer keyBengaluru blue line metroCJP protest Bride-to-be Taylor Swift jets out of Rhode Island; firework display lights up sky ahead of bachelorette celebrations – PICS Wimbledon 2026: Tennis legend Serena Williams secures wildcard for stunning singles comeback Jun 22, 2026, 05:00 IST England’s misery deepens: ICC deducts 12 WTC points after crushing defeat to New Zealand at Oval ‘Maa Inti Bangaaram’ success: Nayanthara’s sweet note to Samantha Ruth Prabhu wins hearts online Omraje Nimbalkar jumps Shiv Sena (UBT) ship and backs Eknath Shinde; Mahayuti brass calls ‘Operation Tiger’ a success Updated: Jun 22, 2026, 07:32 IST Harsh Dubey emerges as India’s long-term spin-allrounder project despite England snub ‘Main Vaapas Aaunga’ box office collection Day 10: Diljit Dosanjh starrer witnesses jump; crosses Rs 40 crore worldwide Parking rage: Minor stabs woman to death, critically injures husband in front of 5-year-old son in Delhi ‘Balan: The Boy’ box office collections day 3: Chidambaram’s thriller jumps 27.7 percent; Sunday collections touch Rs 3 Cr Paulo Coelho Quotes: Quote of the day by Paulo Coelho: “There is only one thing that makes a dream impossible to achieve: the…” 30% of pedestrian deaths are on national highways: Govt report Union minister NEW DELHI: Multiple rib fractures, a major surgery, oxygen support and need for chest drain could not stop Shrishti Dubey from taking the NEET-UG re-examination Sunday. A week after a serious road accident, the West Bengal candidate entered a specially prepared room at her Kolkata centre, determined not to lose the opportunity for which she had worked for years. Shrishti met with the accident a week ago and underwent surgery. Still recovering and dependent on medical support, she told her parents that she wanted to take the examination. Her family then approached the authorities, seeking permission for her to write the paper on ground floor, in hospital clothes and with medical attachments, including the chest drain, in place. The request eventually reached Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan, who spoke to Shrishti’s parents and enquired about her condition. He asked NTA and local authorities to make every possible arrangement to ensure Shrishti could take the exam. NTA, district administration, the examination centre and Shrishti’s doctors worked together to prepare for Sunday. A separate room with suitable furniture was provided so that she could sit as comfortably as her injuries allowed. Medical and paramedical personnel remained available during the examination, while an ambulance stood outside for any emergency.9 impersonators caught in BiharPatna: Nine impersonators appearing in place of registered candidates in NEET-UG re-examination were arrested at three centres in Bihar’s Lakhisarai district Sunday.The fraud came to light after discrepancies in photographs and fingerprints were detected during document verification.“It is suspected that some of the arrested could be practising doctors or medical students,” SDPO Shivam Kumar said.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.About the AuthorManash Pratim GohainManash Pratim Gohain is a seasoned journalist with over two decades at The Times of India, where he has built a rich body of work spanning education policy, politics, and governance. Renowned for his incisive coverage of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, accreditation reforms, and skilling initiatives, he has also reported on student politics, urban policy, and social movements. His political reportage—both reflective and news-driven—adds depth to his writing, bridging policy with public impact. Through his 2,500 articles and related outlets, he has emerged as a trusted voice in national discourse, particularly in linking education reform to broader societal change.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosNihangs Storm Rudraprayag Gurdwara, Hold Manager Hostage on Roof Over Karnaprayag ArrestsKarnataka Cross-Voting Row: BJP MLAs to Take Oath Before Lord Manjunatha in Dharmasthala‘Useless Fellows’: Kharge Loses Cool After Congress Workers Raise ‘DK-DK’ SlogansNEET UG Re-Exam Ends for 22 Lakh Candidates, Students Say Paper Was Tougher Than May 3 TestTMC MP Abhishek Banerjee’s Close Aide, Sumit Roy, Booked in Fraud and Forgery CaseRebel Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Nagesh Patil Ashtikar Joins Shinde Sena, Cites Hurt Over Party Remarks7 Workers Die, Over 40 Hospitalised After Ammonia Gas Leak At Seafood Processing Unit In Tamil NaduAjmer NEET Re-Exam: Muslim Student Wearing Hijab Alleges She Was Denied Entry At Exam Centre’Samajwadi Party, Congress Using Ram for 2027 UP Elections’: VHP Chief on Ram Mandir Donation RowConstruction Begins on ₹2,935 Crore Indore-Ujjain Greenfield Corridor After Farmer Protests123PhotostoriesBLACKPINK’s Lisa’s style evolution: From K-pop neon queen to quiet luxury iconFrom Samatha Ruth Prabhu to Shikhar Dhawan: 10 Indian celebrities who found love again and got married after divorceBigg Boss Malayalam 8 Agnipariksha: 5 Ex-contestants who would be the best picks as judges10 countries where travel insurance is mandatory for tourists5 road trips in India that are not meant for first-time drivers – what travellers need to knowJungkook’s style evolution: From bold eyeliner to the king of quiet luxuryTaking creatine? 5 things you should know first, NYC doctor explainsUttarakhand SOG officer dies after collapsing at gym; Doctor explains why even fit people can suffer sudden medical emergencies10 baby boy names inspired by stars and constellations5 bad hair habits that could be making your hair fall worse123Hot PicksPetrol, diesel rateMilk price hikeIndia-US trade dealJIO IPODelih weatherGwalior-Prayagraj ExpressWeather forecast tomorrowIndane gas KYCKeir Starmer resignationTop TrendingNEET re examUS-Iran WarYoga Day 2026FIFA World Cup 2026Abhijeet DipkeTamil Nadu Ammonia Gas LeakNEET UG ExamUP Police Constable answer keyBengaluru blue line metroCJP protest Tragedy at Goose concert: Attendee falls to death amid ongoing show Pisces Horoscope Today, June 22, 2026: Health needs a little care, especially around food NEW DELHI: Restrictions on Telegram triggered the biggest surge in VPN downloads in the country this year, as users sought ways to retain access to the messaging platform and shifted to alternative apps, according to data shared by App Figures, an app intelligence firm.After the Centre imposed the temporary ban on June 16, downloads of the top 100 VPN apps in India reached 919,000 on June 17, up 76% from the June 9-15 average and 63% higher than the broader June 1-15 baseline. Downloads had already climbed to 645,000 on June 16, making June 17 the strongest day for VPN apps in India since at least the beginning of 2025.VPNs, or virtual private networks, encrypt internet traffic and route it through servers in other locations, allowing users to mask their IP addresses and bypass certain network restrictions. They are commonly used for privacy and security, but spikes in downloads often occur when access to websites or apps is disrupted, as users look for ways to continue using affected services.The spike came after govt imposed restrictions on Telegram over concerns around exam-related fraud content on the instant messaging app.Proton VPN was among the biggest gainers, with downloads surging 157% from a recent average of around 60,500 a day to 1,55,430 on June 17. Turbo VPN nearly doubled to 1,22,030 downloads, while Ninja VPN recorded a 669% jump and ExpressVPN rose 345%, as per the App Figures data.The rush also reshaped app store rankings. Proton VPN climbed from eighth place in Google Play’s Tools category on June 17 to the top spot by June 19, while Turbo VPN rose from eleventh to second.Users also flocked to alternative messaging services. Telegram Messenger downloads plunged from a recent daily average of 1,25,048 to just 38 on June 17, reflecting the impact of the restrictions.At the same time, Telegram X, an alternative Telegram client, saw downloads soar 6,509% to 3,50,764, while Telegram-linked messaging app iMe jumped 22,018% to 1,70,372. Signal, which markets itself as a privacy-focused messaging app, recorded a 571% increase to 32,106 downloads.The data suggests users responded to the restrictions in two ways: by turning to VPNs to maintain access to Telegram and by experimenting with alternative or Telegram-adjacent messaging services. Big-name rivals such as WhatsApp saw only limited gains, likely because of their already extensive user bases.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.About the AuthorAabhas SharmaAabhaasEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosNihangs Storm Rudraprayag Gurdwara, Hold Manager Hostage on Roof Over Karnaprayag ArrestsKarnataka Cross-Voting Row: BJP MLAs to Take Oath Before Lord Manjunatha in Dharmasthala‘Useless Fellows’: Kharge Loses Cool After Congress Workers Raise ‘DK-DK’ SlogansNEET UG Re-Exam Ends for 22 Lakh Candidates, Students Say Paper Was Tougher Than May 3 TestTMC MP Abhishek Banerjee’s Close Aide, Sumit Roy, Booked in Fraud and Forgery CaseRebel Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Nagesh Patil Ashtikar Joins Shinde Sena, Cites Hurt Over Party Remarks7 Workers Die, Over 40 Hospitalised After Ammonia Gas Leak At Seafood Processing Unit In Tamil NaduAjmer NEET Re-Exam: Muslim Student Wearing Hijab Alleges She Was Denied Entry At Exam Centre’Samajwadi Party, Congress Using Ram for 2027 UP Elections’: VHP Chief on Ram Mandir Donation RowConstruction Begins on ₹2,935 Crore Indore-Ujjain Greenfield Corridor After Farmer Protests123PhotostoriesBLACKPINK’s Lisa’s style evolution: From K-pop neon queen to quiet luxury iconFrom Samatha Ruth Prabhu to Shikhar Dhawan: 10 Indian celebrities who found love again and got married after divorceBigg Boss Malayalam 8 Agnipariksha: 5 Ex-contestants who would be the best picks as judges10 countries where travel insurance is mandatory for tourists5 road trips in India that are not meant for first-time drivers – what travellers need to knowJungkook’s style evolution: From bold eyeliner to the king of quiet luxuryTaking creatine? 5 things you should know first, NYC doctor explainsUttarakhand SOG officer dies after collapsing at gym; Doctor explains why even fit people can suffer sudden medical emergencies10 baby boy names inspired by stars and constellations5 bad hair habits that could be making your hair fall worse123Hot PicksPetrol, diesel rateMilk price hikeIndia-US trade dealJIO IPODelih weatherGwalior-Prayagraj ExpressWeather forecast tomorrowIndane gas KYCKeir Starmer resignationTop TrendingNEET re examUS-Iran WarYoga Day 2026FIFA World Cup 2026Abhijeet DipkeTamil Nadu Ammonia Gas LeakNEET UG ExamUP Police Constable answer keyBengaluru blue line metroCJP protest Jennifer Lopez attends Ariana Grande’s concert with Oskar and Ben Affleck’s child Fin – WATCH Representative image Private hospitals in India have negligible research output though they deal with 60% of patients. A study of research at Indian hospitals during the 5-year period from January 2021 to December 2025 also found that nearly all hospitals without medical colleges produced fewer than 10 publications annually.The study published in the latest issue of the Journal of Medical Evidence of the BMJ (British Medical Journal) group looked at the number of publications included in Scopus, PubMed and Google Scholar.In the period studied, the average number of publications by the top 50 private hospitals in India without medical colleges attached was 242. In the same period, the average number of publications by the top 50 Indian hospitals with medical colleges was 1,530.The latter list was topped by AIIMS, Delhi (6,932) and CMC, Vellore (5,333).In comparison, the average research output of the top 10 medical colleges in China was over 16,000 with Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine and Peking University Health Science Centre topping the list; in the US, the average was almost 14,500, with Harvard and Johns Hopkins topping the list, and in the UK it was 13,500 with University of Oxford Medical Sciences Division and University College, London Medical School topping the list.Mayo Clinic in the US produces 8,000 papers annually, which is more than the entire Indian private sector. Indian healthcare is now dominated by private hospitals many of which are controlled by large corporate houses whose main purpose is making a profit for its shareholders, so education and research is not a priority, observed the study.“This study confirms that in spite of their dealing with most of the population, doctors in private hospitals in India do little research. There is a neglect of the enormous data that can be accessed from Indian patients going to the majority of Indian hospitals. This may be due to lack of incentive, absence of electronic hardware or priorities which are mainly commercial,” stated the study.According to the study, there were 49,000 Indian medical institutions of which 800 were attached to medical colleges. Although India is fourth in the world in the quantity of research publications after the US, China and UK, its quality, as assessed by the number of citations it receives, drops it down to ninth. This means that the papers are not referred to and do not make a major impact on the world stage, stated the study conducted by Dr Samiran Nundy and Dr Parmanand Tiwari from Delhi’s Sir Ganga Ram Hospital.Research and publication are among the major hallmarks of good medical institutions and there is evidence that those which produce high quality research also provide better patient care. “The quality and quantity of research output is also a major factor in ranking medical institutions all over the world including the well-known US News and World Report as well as the National Institute Ranking Framework of India,” pointed out the study.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosNihangs Storm Rudraprayag Gurdwara, Hold Manager Hostage on Roof Over Karnaprayag ArrestsKarnataka Cross-Voting Row: BJP MLAs to Take Oath Before Lord Manjunatha in Dharmasthala‘Useless Fellows’: Kharge Loses Cool After Congress Workers Raise ‘DK-DK’ SlogansNEET UG Re-Exam Ends for 22 Lakh Candidates, Students Say Paper Was Tougher Than May 3 TestTMC MP Abhishek Banerjee’s Close Aide, Sumit Roy, Booked in Fraud and Forgery CaseRebel Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Nagesh Patil Ashtikar Joins Shinde Sena, Cites Hurt Over Party Remarks7 Workers Die, Over 40 Hospitalised After Ammonia Gas Leak At Seafood Processing Unit In Tamil NaduAjmer NEET Re-Exam: Muslim Student Wearing Hijab Alleges She Was Denied Entry At Exam Centre’Samajwadi Party, Congress Using Ram for 2027 UP Elections’: VHP Chief on Ram Mandir Donation RowConstruction Begins on ₹2,935 Crore Indore-Ujjain Greenfield Corridor After Farmer Protests123PhotostoriesBLACKPINK’s Lisa’s style evolution: From K-pop neon queen to quiet luxury iconFrom Samatha Ruth Prabhu to Shikhar Dhawan: 10 Indian celebrities who found love again and got married after divorceBigg Boss Malayalam 8 Agnipariksha: 5 Ex-contestants who would be the best picks as judges10 countries where travel insurance is mandatory for tourists5 road trips in India that are not meant for first-time drivers – what travellers need to knowJungkook’s style evolution: From bold eyeliner to the king of quiet luxuryTaking creatine? 5 things you should know first, NYC doctor explainsUttarakhand SOG officer dies after collapsing at gym; Doctor explains why even fit people can suffer sudden medical emergencies10 baby boy names inspired by stars and constellations5 bad hair habits that could be making your hair fall worse123Hot PicksPetrol, diesel rateMilk price hikeIndia-US trade dealJIO IPODelih weatherGwalior-Prayagraj ExpressWeather forecast tomorrowIndane gas KYCKeir Starmer resignationTop TrendingNEET re examUS-Iran WarYoga Day 2026FIFA World Cup 2026Abhijeet DipkeTamil Nadu Ammonia Gas LeakNEET UG ExamUP Police Constable answer keyBengaluru blue line metroCJP protest Jun 22, 2026, 06:16 IST Libra Horoscope Today, June 22, 2026:Students should avoid comparing themselves with others today Nicole Kidman posts Father’s Day pics for ex Keith Urban and her dad, says ‘Happy Father’s Day to all the fathers’ Goods exports up 15% in 2-and-half months of 2026-27 Aquarius Horoscope Today, June 22, 2026: Not a good day for investment Sagittarius Horoscope Today, June 22, 2026: This is an encouraging day for career matters Representative image MUMBAI: In a set of decisions that could reshape campus recruitment across the country’s premier engineering institutions, the All IITs Placement Committee (AIPC) has directed students across all 23 IITs to remove JEE ranks, GATE scores, percentiles and similar entrance examination credentials from their resumes. At the same time, the IITs have decided to take a tougher stance against companies that issue job offers and later withdraw them, potentially restricting future engagement with such recruiters for up to two years if their explanations are found unsatisfactory.Taken together, the measures reflect a growing concern within the IIT system that fairness in recruitment depends not only on how students are evaluated, but also on how they are treated once selected.The decisions were taken unanimously at a recent meeting of the AIPC, the official body of 23 IITs that coordinates and issues common guidelines on internship and placement drives across all IITs. According to AIPC convenor John Jose, the move to remove entrance examination rankings from resumes arose from concerns that recruiters could sometimes infer whether a student belonged to the general or reserved category by comparing a candidate’s rank with the opening and closing ranks of a particular IIT programme.“The distinction is an important one. An entrance examination captures a moment in time. A degree reflects years of work that follow. The objective is that students should be evaluated on their competence, skills and achievements at IIT. What will disappear is the score that opened the gate,” said prof Jose, also a senior faculty of computer science engineering at IIT Guwahati.For generations of IIT students, a rank was more than a number. It was a badge of honour earned through years of preparation, sacrifice and competition. Now, in a move that reflects a changing understanding of merit itself, IITs have decided that those ranks should no longer accompany students into the job market.Under the revised guidelines, students may continue to highlight their Cumulative Performance Index (CPI), projects, internships, research work and other accomplishments earned during their years at IIT, explained Jose. Entrance examination scores may only be shared if a recruiter specifically requests them, but they will no longer be part of the standard resume circulated through placement channels.The committee also addressed a growing concern among placement offices: companies extending job offers to students only to revoke them months later. “Because students who accept an offer are typically removed from the placement process, such reversals can leave them stranded after missing other opportunities,” said prof Jose. To discourage the practice, IITs have begun documenting instances of offer withdrawals and seeking explanations from recruiters. Companies found reneging on commitments may face restrictions on participation for the next two years in IIT recruitment drives.Another decision seeks to change how placement success is measured. Rather than publicising the highest salary packages secured by a handful of graduates, IITs will report median salaries, which officials believe provide a more accurate picture of outcomes across an entire programme.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosNihangs Storm Rudraprayag Gurdwara, Hold Manager Hostage on Roof Over Karnaprayag ArrestsKarnataka Cross-Voting Row: BJP MLAs to Take Oath Before Lord Manjunatha in Dharmasthala‘Useless Fellows’: Kharge Loses Cool After Congress Workers Raise ‘DK-DK’ SlogansNEET UG Re-Exam Ends for 22 Lakh Candidates, Students Say Paper Was Tougher Than May 3 TestTMC MP Abhishek Banerjee’s Close Aide, Sumit Roy, Booked in Fraud and Forgery CaseRebel Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Nagesh Patil Ashtikar Joins Shinde Sena, Cites Hurt Over Party Remarks7 Workers Die, Over 40 Hospitalised After Ammonia Gas Leak At Seafood Processing Unit In Tamil NaduAjmer NEET Re-Exam: Muslim Student Wearing Hijab Alleges She Was Denied Entry At Exam Centre’Samajwadi Party, Congress Using Ram for 2027 UP Elections’: VHP Chief on Ram Mandir Donation RowConstruction Begins on ₹2,935 Crore Indore-Ujjain Greenfield Corridor After Farmer Protests123PhotostoriesFrom Samatha Ruth Prabhu to Shikhar Dhawan: 10 Indian celebrities who found love again and got married after divorceBigg Boss Malayalam 8 Agnipariksha: 5 Ex-contestants who would be the best picks as judges10 countries where travel insurance is mandatory for tourists5 road trips in India that are not meant for first-time drivers – what travellers need to knowJungkook’s style evolution: From bold eyeliner to the king of quiet luxuryTaking creatine? 5 things you should know first, NYC doctor explainsUttarakhand SOG officer dies after collapsing at gym; Doctor explains why even fit people can suffer sudden medical emergencies10 baby boy names inspired by stars and constellations5 bad hair habits that could be making your hair fall worse5 most extraordinary eco-friendly buildings redefining sustainable architecture123Hot PicksPetrol, diesel rateMilk price hikeIndia-US trade dealJIO IPODelih weatherGwalior-Prayagraj ExpressWeather forecast tomorrowIndane gas KYCKeir Starmer resignationTop TrendingNEET re examUS-Iran WarYoga Day 2026FIFA World Cup 2026Abhijeet DipkeTamil Nadu Ammonia Gas LeakNEET UG ExamUP Police Constable answer keyBengaluru blue line metroCJP protest NEET UG re-examination NEW DELHI: National Testing Agency (NTA) and education ministry kept their fingers crossed until the final answer sheets of India’s largest entrance exam, NEET-UG, were sealed on Sunday, bringing to a close a high-stakes retest conducted under the shadow of the May 3 paper leak.Organised in 37 days, far short of the four-six months the exercise would ordinarily require, the retest to admissions to under-graduate medical courses passed off without any reported breach or major disruption – a relief to the agency and education minister Dharmendra Pradhan, who have come under fire since the scrapping of the exam. NTA has called the retest “a fair chance, a fresh start”.Pradhan monitored the conduct of the test – taken by over 20 lakh candidates at 5,440 centres in India and 14 abroad – from NTA headquarters in Delhi’s Okhla till it ended, for any fresh lapse would have intensified the credibility crisis surrounding the exam. He reviewed feeds from command-and-control centres and called up exam centres too. Biology was easy, physics tough, say NEET aspirants Pradhan reviewed inputs from command-and-control centres, from the ministry at the national level, 34 centrally funded higher education institutions in every state, and district collectorates, sources said.The arrangements were part of a larger security and logistics grid – involving security and intelligence agencies, IAF to transport question papers, and ministries of railways, home affairs, defence, health and IT – put in place to eliminate lapses. The May 3 exam was cancelled after more than 120 questions allegedly overlapped with material circulated before the test. It triggered a CBI probe, and several people were arrested, including those who were on the paper-setting panel.Security this time extended beyond protecting the printed paper: the question bank was larger, there were more paper-setters and restrictions, ensuring nobody could get to know or see the final paper. Moreover, the experts who prepared and moderated the papers worked under ‘lockdown-like’ conditions, with heavy restrictions on gadgets, including mobile phones. The govt also restricted access to Telegram app until June 22 over concerns it may be used for cheating. Biology was described as easy-to-moderate, while several found physics calculation-heavy, and chemistry lengthy and difficult. Students from several exam centres reported that NEET centres were better prepared for the re-exam. However, some candidates complained about power outages, and disturbances during the exam despite NTA’s directions to minimise interruptions once the test began.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.About the AuthorManash Pratim GohainManash Pratim Gohain is a seasoned journalist with over two decades at The Times of India, where he has built a rich body of work spanning education policy, politics, and governance. Renowned for his incisive coverage of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, accreditation reforms, and skilling initiatives, he has also reported on student politics, urban policy, and social movements. His political reportage—both reflective and news-driven—adds depth to his writing, bridging policy with public impact. Through his 2,500 articles and related outlets, he has emerged as a trusted voice in national discourse, particularly in linking education reform to broader societal change.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosNihangs Storm Rudraprayag Gurdwara, Hold Manager Hostage on Roof Over Karnaprayag ArrestsKarnataka Cross-Voting Row: BJP MLAs to Take Oath Before Lord Manjunatha in Dharmasthala‘Useless Fellows’: Kharge Loses Cool After Congress Workers Raise ‘DK-DK’ SlogansNEET UG Re-Exam Ends for 22 Lakh Candidates, Students Say Paper Was Tougher Than May 3 TestTMC MP Abhishek Banerjee’s Close Aide, Sumit Roy, Booked in Fraud and Forgery CaseRebel Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Nagesh Patil Ashtikar Joins Shinde Sena, Cites Hurt Over Party Remarks7 Workers Die, Over 40 Hospitalised After Ammonia Gas Leak At Seafood Processing Unit In Tamil NaduAjmer NEET Re-Exam: Muslim Student Wearing Hijab Alleges She Was Denied Entry At Exam Centre’Samajwadi Party, Congress Using Ram for 2027 UP Elections’: VHP Chief on Ram Mandir Donation RowConstruction Begins on ₹2,935 Crore Indore-Ujjain Greenfield Corridor After Farmer Protests123PhotostoriesFrom Samatha Ruth Prabhu to Shikhar Dhawan: 10 Indian celebrities who found love again and got married after divorceBigg Boss Malayalam 8 Agnipariksha: 5 Ex-contestants who would be the best picks as judges10 countries where travel insurance is mandatory for tourists5 road trips in India that are not meant for first-time drivers – what travellers need to knowJungkook’s style evolution: From bold eyeliner to the king of quiet luxuryTaking creatine? 5 things you should know first, NYC doctor explainsUttarakhand SOG officer dies after collapsing at gym; Doctor explains why even fit people can suffer sudden medical emergencies10 baby boy names inspired by stars and constellations5 bad hair habits that could be making your hair fall worse5 most extraordinary eco-friendly buildings redefining sustainable architecture123Hot PicksPetrol, diesel rateMilk price hikeIndia-US trade dealJIO IPODelih weatherGwalior-Prayagraj ExpressWeather forecast tomorrowIndane gas KYCKeir Starmer resignationTop TrendingNEET re examUS-Iran WarYoga Day 2026FIFA World Cup 2026Abhijeet DipkeTamil Nadu Ammonia Gas LeakNEET UG ExamUP Police Constable answer keyBengaluru blue line metroCJP protest ‘Cocktail 2’ box office collection Day 3: Shahid Kapoor starrer ends opening weekend on a strong note; crosses Rs 76 crore worldwide David Beckham and Victoria Beckham INCLUDE estranged son Brooklyn in Father’s Day post amid ongoing family rift ‘Closed’ expressway, birthday bash, body parts scattered: How a high-speed BMW ride turned fatal for 2 youths Daily Career Horoscope, June 22, 2026: Success, challenges, and breakthroughs; Know about your career Updated: Jun 22, 2026, 04:19 IST After initial rush, semaglutide therapy market saddled with 100cr excess stock ‘House of the Dragon’ Season 3: Premiere date, episode schedule and streaming details revealed Scorpio Horoscope Today, June 22, 2026: Routine spending is fine, big emotional purchases are not Govt starts work on steps to increase domestic resilience Why IT firms are moving beyond token maxxing Nishant tipped for bigger JD(U) role as Nitish gets fifth stint as party chief NEW DELHI: As Congress rethinks its organisational leadership in poll-bound Punjab, Rahul Gandhi Sunday met five key state functionaries ahead of a decision on a reshuffle.Leader of the opposition Partap Singh Bajwa, state chief Amarinder Raja Warring, ex-CM Charanjit Singh Channi, Sukhjinder Randhawa and Vijay Inder Singla met Rahul at 10, Janpath. Sources said Rahul asked them to fight the polls collectively, a day after the party brass discussed a report of the Ajay Maken panel set up to look into the Punjab unit. Meenakshi Natarajan and Bhajan Lal Jatav were other members of the panel.The five state functionaries are said to have given their views on the nature of the team with which Congress should go to the polls. Rahul called the leaders individually and sought their opinions.Bajwa told reporters, “I put forward my viewpoint on what is best for the party, and I said whatever decision you (Rahul) take, we’ll stand by it. We’re committed soldiers of Congress.”Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosNihangs Storm Rudraprayag Gurdwara, Hold Manager Hostage on Roof Over Karnaprayag ArrestsKarnataka Cross-Voting Row: BJP MLAs to Take Oath Before Lord Manjunatha in Dharmasthala‘Useless Fellows’: Kharge Loses Cool After Congress Workers Raise ‘DK-DK’ SlogansNEET UG Re-Exam Ends for 22 Lakh Candidates, Students Say Paper Was Tougher Than May 3 TestTMC MP Abhishek Banerjee’s Close Aide, Sumit Roy, Booked in Fraud and Forgery CaseRebel Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Nagesh Patil Ashtikar Joins Shinde Sena, Cites Hurt Over Party Remarks7 Workers Die, Over 40 Hospitalised After Ammonia Gas Leak At Seafood Processing Unit In Tamil NaduAjmer NEET Re-Exam: Muslim Student Wearing Hijab Alleges She Was Denied Entry At Exam Centre’Samajwadi Party, Congress Using Ram for 2027 UP Elections’: VHP Chief on Ram Mandir Donation RowConstruction Begins on ₹2,935 Crore Indore-Ujjain Greenfield Corridor After Farmer Protests123PhotostoriesFrom Samatha Ruth Prabhu to Shikhar Dhawan: 10 Indian celebrities who found love again and got married after divorceBigg Boss Malayalam 8 Agnipariksha: 5 Ex-contestants who would be the best picks as judges10 countries where travel insurance is mandatory for tourists5 road trips in India that are not meant for first-time drivers – what travellers need to knowJungkook’s style evolution: From bold eyeliner to the king of quiet luxuryTaking creatine? 5 things you should know first, NYC doctor explainsUttarakhand SOG officer dies after collapsing at gym; Doctor explains why even fit people can suffer sudden medical emergencies10 baby boy names inspired by stars and constellations5 bad hair habits that could be making your hair fall worse5 most extraordinary eco-friendly buildings redefining sustainable architecture123Hot PicksPetrol, diesel rateMilk price hikeIndia-US trade dealJIO IPODelih weatherGwalior-Prayagraj ExpressWeather forecast tomorrowIndane gas KYCKeir Starmer resignationTop TrendingNEET re examUS-Iran WarYoga Day 2026FIFA World Cup 2026Abhijeet DipkeTamil Nadu Ammonia Gas LeakNEET UG ExamUP Police Constable answer keyBengaluru blue line metroCJP protest ‘Maa Inti Bangaaram’ box office collections day 3: Samantha Ruth Prabhu starrer nears Rs 42 Cr worldwide; Registers 32% growth Capricorn Horoscope Today, June 22, 2026: Health stays normal overall, but the mind is restless ‘I am done with it’: Virat Kohli gives blunt verdict on Test comeback Weekly Horoscope, June 22 to June 27, 2026: Read weekly astrological predictions