India medical exam scandal: Millions face repeat test amid anxiety and protests

Anxiety grips India's medical school hopefuls as over 2 million candidates must retake a scandal-tainted exam on June 21. The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) was initially held on May 3, but authorities scrapped the results following widespread allegations of question paper leaks.

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This examination drains us mentally. We put in years of hard work, and then the paper gets leaked and results are cancelled.

This repeated exam adds immense stress to students who already face a highly competitive environment, with only 5-6% securing medical school seats. "This examination drains us mentally. We put in years of hard work, and then the paper gets leaked and results are cancelled," said Alima Javed, a 20-year-old student from Srinagar. The controversy has fueled student protests in major cities, creating a political challenge for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government. While some opposition figures and media outlets have linked the exam debacle to student suicides, these claims remain difficult to verify.

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I was very happy with my last attempt.

Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan promised a "fair and transparent" re-test. In an effort to prevent further leaks, the government temporarily blocked the messaging app Telegram, a move criticized by free speech advocates but upheld by an Indian court as legal and reasonable. Authorities have launched a multi-agency probe, arrested individuals in several states, and are enhancing exam security measures. However, many students like Aliya Jalaal, 20, remain anxious, with some seeking psychiatric help due to the added pressure of the re-examination.

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fair and transparent