The Himachal Pradesh State Committee of Students’ Federation of India (SFI) has demanded the National Testing Agency (NTA) to release the attendance of candidates who appeared for the NEET-UG re-exam held on June 21.
Addressing a press conference here, SFI State President Anil Thakur said that around 22 lakh candidates appeared for the NEET-UG exam held on May 3, which was cancelled following allegations of a paper leak.
“NTA announced a re-examination on June 21. However, several centres across the country reported an unjustified gap between the candidates who applied for the exam and the candidates who appeared,” he said.
“While 22 lakh students appeared for the exam during the previous attempt, NTA, in its statement, has reported that more than 20 lakh aspirants appeared for the re-examination. This raises concerns about circumstances under which approximately 2 lakh candidates did not appear for the examination,” he added.
“The cancellation of the previous exam adversely affected aspirants and their families, forcing around 21 students to take their lives. A large number of students were subjected to intense mental and psychological torture through paper leaks and continuous irregularities by NTA and MHRD. The situation has structurally isolated students from the marginalised sections by pushing them further towards economic and mental distress,” said Thakur.
He further condemned Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s remarks in which he called protesting students as the “B-Team of terrorists.”
“At a time when lakhs of students and their families are suffering due to repeated examination irregularities, paper leaks and administrative failures, such comments reflect a complete lack of accountability and empathy. Instead of addressing students’ concerns and accepting responsibility for the collapse of the examination system, the Minister has chosen to attack those demanding justice,” Thakur added.
Thakur also mentioned that SFI has launched a NEET Complaint Cell to assist the students and their families who are affected by the mismanagement in the conduct of NEET Exam 2026.
“SFI will assist these affected people and take up valid complaints and suggestions, legally and politically,” he added.
