For thousands of NEET aspirants studying away from home in coaching hubs such as Delhi, Kota, Jaipur and Sikar, the announcement of a revised examination date after the cancellation of the earlier test has brought back long study hours, anxiety and emotional strain.
Many students said they had mentally moved on after appearing for the examination earlier this month. With the re-test now scheduled for June 21, aspirants are once again trying to regain focus and motivation while dealing with uncertainty.
“I had completely switched off after the exam because I thought the difficult phase was finally over. Now, preparing again with the same intensity feels mentally exhausting,” said Namanshu, a NEET aspirant in Kota.
The extended preparation period has also increased financial pressure on families already spending heavily on coaching, accommodation and study materials.
“Every extra month means more rent, food expenses and test series costs. My parents never complain, but I know it affects them,” said Neetu Singh, another student preparing in Delhi.
Harshita Gupta, an aspirant from Delhi, said students were now struggling more with emotional fatigue than academics. “Initially, we thought the extra time would help us improve, but now most students are simply trying to stay consistent and avoid burnout,” she said.
As anxiety rises among students, coaching institutes have started additional academic and counselling support programmes. Nitin Kukreja, CEO of Allen Career Institute, advised students to stay away from rumours and distractions and use the extra time to strengthen their preparation. He said the institute would continue to provide academic guidance and support to help students remain focused and confident.
Bhunesh Sharma, CEO and Founder of Class 24, said the revised schedule had naturally increased anxiety among aspirants because of the intense competition and years of preparation involved. He said institutes were now focusing on mock tests, personalised doubt-clearing sessions, counselling support and mental wellness initiatives to help students remain exam-ready.
Mental health experts have also raised concerns about the emotional impact of the cancellation. “The cancellation of NEET 2026 has caused deep emotional distress among students who have already endured years of intense preparation and pressure. Many are now experiencing anxiety, self-doubt, exhaustion and uncertainty about the future,” said Sanjay Desai, author, entrepreneur and Founder & CEO of ConsciousLeap.
He added that accessible mental health support, reassurance from families and institutions, and a sensitive approach from authorities were essential during this period.
