The Union Health Minister Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda reviewed the readiness of the NBEMS and its partners for NEET‑PG 2026, scheduled on 30 August 2026. The focus was on a smooth, secure, transparent and technology‑enabled examination.
Key Developments
- Registration reached 2,73,183 candidates, a rise of over 12.5% from the previous year.
- Examination will be held in a single shift across ~340 cities and 1,300 centres.
- Three‑state preference for test‑centre allocation, with the correspondence state as mandatory first choice.
- Test‑city intimation to be issued three weeks before the exam.
- Exam pattern rationalised to 180 questions in 210 minutes.
- Authentication strengthened with Aadhaar verification and iris‑based biometric verification where fingerprint fails.
- Security reinforced by a multi‑layered security framework and end‑to‑end encryption of the question paper.
Important Facts
• Over 60,000 examination functionaries will be deployed.
• Centres will be sealed, verified and monitored through CCTV, signal jammers and live command centres.
• A dedicated email address has been set up for reporting impersonation, touting and other unfair means.
Exam Relevance
The review highlights several governance aspects that are part of the UPSC syllabus. The role of NBEMS illustrates institutional design and accountability (GS1: Polity). The use of Aadhaar and biometric checks reflects the integration of technology in public service delivery (GS3: Governance). The layered security measures demonstrate risk‑mitigation strategies in large‑scale examinations, relevant to disaster management and internal security (GS3: Governance, GS4: Ethics). Finally, the emphasis on transparency and candidate‑friendly reforms aligns with the ethical standards expected of public administrators (GS4: Ethics).
Way Forward
All agencies must maintain close coordination to ensure the promised smooth and secure conduct. Candidates should rely only on official communications from NBEMS and the Ministry, and report any suspicious activity promptly. The government’s commitment to technology‑enabled, transparent examinations sets a benchmark for future entrance tests and other large‑scale assessments.