New Delhi:

The NEET-UG retest for 1,563 candidates will be held today in six cities following allegations of irregularities in NEET-UG, including paper leaks. The National Testing Agency (NTA) and Union Education ministry officials will also be present at the examination centres. The re-exams will be conducted from 2 pm to 5:20 pm.

The retest for the medical entrance exam is being conducted after the agency withdrew grace marks awarded to students who were compensated for the loss of time due to delay in the start of the examination at six centres across the country. Six students scored perfect 720 marks along with 61 others leading to allegations of inflation of marks which has now sparked a political row. 

Late Saturday evening, the Home Ministry also postponed the NEET-PG examinations, which was scheduled today. The government said the fresh dates would be announced soon, adding that the decision was taken in the best interests of students and to maintain the sanctity of examination. 

An hour before the announcement of the exam postponement came, the government issued an order that said it had replaced the chief of the NTA, which conducts the NEET-UG. Subodh Kumar Singh, who was NTA director general, has been replaced by retired Indian Administration Service (IAS) officer Pradeep Singh Kharola.

The Education ministry has also formed a high-level committee of experts to make recommendations on reform in the mechanism of the examination process, improvement in data security protocols, and structure and functioning of the NTA.