New Delhi: The National Testing Agency (NTA) has announced June 21 as the date for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test for Undergraduate Admissions (NEET-UG) re-examination, following the cancellation of the May 3 examination amid allegations of irregularities linked to a paper leak.The re-test has been scheduled between 2 pm and 5.15 pm, a slot chosen deliberately to make space for International Yoga Day celebrations in the morning hours, raising concerns over the welfare of lakhs of students required to sit for the high-stakes examination during peak afternoon heat.A senior official from the ministry of education told The New Indian Express that a morning slot was preferred, but was later ruled out due to the International Yoga Day programme. “We wanted to hold the exam initially in the first half of the day, but since it is Yoga Day, it was not possible. Transportation is crucial on the day for the students as it will be very hot in some parts of India with heavy rain elsewhere,” he said.The re-examination has been necessitated after a serious integrity failure in the original NEET-UG 2026 test, with the question paper leak subsequently traced to individuals working within the NTA system itself. The cancellation has impacted more than 22 lakh candidates seeking admission to MBBS, BDS, AYUSH and other allied medical programmes.In a high-level review meeting on Tuesday, May 19, Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan assessed the preparations for the upcoming examination and directed officials to ensure that the re-test is carried out in a “secure, seamless and foolproof manner,” with all identified gaps comprehensively addressed.“We have learnt our lesson, as it is very upsetting to note that those who were responsible for holding the exams in a safe manner have done the opposite. There will be a policy of zero-trust adopted, and no one, inside or outside, will be trusted this time,” the official told New Indian Express.Meanwhile, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the May 3 paper leak continues.Also read: ‘Government Does Not Care About Our Future’: Students Speak Out as NTA Cancels NEET 2026Key changes for the re-examinationThe NTA has made a series of modifications in the upcoming re-examination process. The duration of the re-test has been extended by 15 minutes, with the test now ending at 5.15 pm instead of 5 pm. The fee for the May 3 examination will be refunded and candidates appearing for the re-examination will not be charged again. Students can update their current address and reselect first and second preferred examination cities, through the official website, till Thursday, May 21.The education minister has also announced reforms in the examination system: from next year onwards, NEET-UG will be conducted in a Computer-Based Test (CBT) format instead of the present OMR-based pen-and-paper exam. Officials said the shift aims to improve security and reduce the risk of future paper leaks.After the NEET-UG 2024 paper leak came to light, a seven-member committee headed by former ISRO chief K. Radhakrishnan suggested a transition to CBT format, however, Pradhan said the ministry had “not been able to implement it.”Also read: NEET 2026 Re-Examination on June 21, Minister Pradhan Says Exam to be Computer-Based from Next YearStudent welfare and heat concernsWith the re-test falling in the afternoon during one of the hottest months of the year, ministry officials have reported that mitigation measures will be adopted. The centre has asked all the state governments to arrange free bus services for the candidates on June 21, citing the provision of such facilities by Haryana and Odisha during the previous year’s examination cycle.Additionally, exam centres have been directed to ensure an unlimited supply of drinking water, distribute Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS) drinks to students and provide adequate sanitation facilities. The officials also added that intrusive frisking procedures applied in previous cycles, such as checks on shoes, belts and hair clips, will be discontinued for the re-test.The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued orange and red alerts for various states in northern India this past week, warning of severe heatwave conditions. Temperatures in Delhi and surrounding regions have hovered between 44-45° C, with Uttar Pradesh’s Banda district recording 48.2° C during peak afternoon hours. The World Meteorological Organisation has also projected a 62-80% probability of El Niño conditions developing between May and August this year, a pattern historically associated with severe pre-monsoon heat in India.