IAF-flown question papers kept under tight security; 414 police personnel, 29 officers deployed for NEET re-test of nearly 12,000 candidates
Determined to prevent any repeat of the controversy that led to the cancellation of the earlier examination, Nagpur Police have rolled out an extensive multi-layered security plan for the NEET re-examination scheduled on June 21. From the moment the question papers arrived in the city to their eventual distribution at examination centres, every step has been brought under stringent surveillance to ensure confidentiality, transparency and smooth conduct of the test.
In a high-security operation, the question papers were flown to Nagpur aboard a special Indian Air Force aircraft. Upon arrival, the confidential material was secured in three bank lockers under continuous police protection. The Post Master General has been designated as the nodal officer responsible for overseeing the custody and movement of the papers.
Officials described the transportation of the question papers as one of the most sensitive components of the entire exercise. The sealed packets will be transported from the bank lockers to examination centres under armed police escort, with detailed route planning and security protocols already in place.
“Every stage has been carefully coordinated. The question papers will remain under constant surveillance and armed protection until they reach their respective centres,” a senior police officer said.
The re-examination will be conducted at 30 centres across the district, including 29 within Nagpur city and one in Butibori under the jurisdiction of Nagpur Rural Police. A total of 11,984 candidates are expected to appear for the examination.
To ensure foolproof security, Nagpur Police have deployed 414 police personnel along with 29 officers of the ranks of Assistant Police Inspector (API) and Police Sub-Inspector (PSI). Nearly 30 escort vehicles have also been pressed into service for the secure transportation of examination material.
The responsibility of safeguarding and transporting the question papers has been assigned to the Additional Commissioner of Police (Crime), while Regional Additional Commissioners of Police will supervise security arrangements at their respective examination centres. Deputy Commissioners of Police and local police station teams will remain on duty throughout the operation.
Police officials said the security blueprint has been designed to rule out any possibility of tampering, paper leaks or disruption. “No aspect has been left to chance. Multiple layers of security have been created, and every officer has been given a clearly defined role. Our aim is to ensure a fair, transparent and incident-free examination,” an official said.
As part of the final preparations, a full-scale mock drill will be conducted on June 20. The exercise will simulate transportation of question papers, escort deployment, communication systems and emergency response mechanisms to identify and address any potential gaps before the examination.
Authorities said the drill will help ensure seamless coordination among all agencies involved and guarantee operational readiness. On the day of the examination, all centres will remain under heightened surveillance, with strict monitoring of entry and exit points. Police teams will maintain a strong presence throughout the examination period to prevent any untoward incident and ensure the smooth conduct of the crucial medical entrance test.
The elaborate security arrangements underscore the administration’s commitment to restoring public confidence in the examination process and ensuring a fair opportunity for thousands of aspiring medical students.
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