Former Tamil Nadu BJP chief says excessive security arrangements could add pressure on students
June 16, 2026: Former Tamil Nadu BJP president K. Annamalai has criticised the extensive security arrangements planned for the NEET UG re-test scheduled on June 21, arguing that they could increase anxiety among students instead of reducing it. In a post on X, Annamalai highlighted measures such as CRPF and CISF escorts, AI-enabled CCTV surveillance, biometric verification, facial recognition checks, multiple frisking layers, and direct monitoring from top authorities. While acknowledging the need to prevent paper leaks, he said the arrangements could place additional pressure on candidates already dealing with exam-related stress.
Annamalai further claimed that the government had overlooked the emotional burden such strict protocols could create for students who have spent months preparing for the examination. Referring to the goals of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, he argued that the measures appeared to contradict efforts aimed at reducing examination stress. He also pointed to complaints from candidates facing difficulties while downloading admit cards for the re-test, raising concerns about the overall conduct of the process.
Responding to the criticism, BJP Tamil Nadu state secretary Vinoj P. Selvam defended the security arrangements, stating that strict examination protocols are common for major competitive tests worldwide. He cited China’s Gaokao examination as an example, saying strong security measures help protect merit and maintain confidence in the system. The NEET UG re-test is being conducted after the cancellation of the May 3 examination due to a paper leak, a case currently under investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). To prevent a repeat of the incident, the Centre has introduced enhanced security measures, including the use of the Indian Air Force to transport question papers.