The Uttarakhand government on Wednesday, 10 June announced free travel in Uttarakhand Transport Corporation (UTC) buses for permanent residents of the state appearing in the NEET-UG 2026 re-examination scheduled for 21 June. The move follows a similar initiative by Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, who had earlier promised free rides in Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) buses for NEET aspirants in the capital.

What Uttarakhand's Free Travel Scheme Covers

Under the scheme announced by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government led by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, eligible candidates can avail free travel in ordinary-category UTC buses by presenting their admit card. The benefit is available from two days before the exam through the exam date on 21 June, and extends for up to two days after the exam for the return journey from the exam centre to the candidate's home or place of residence.

Delhi Leads the Way, States Follow

The Uttarakhand announcement comes days after Delhi CM Rekha Gupta made a similar pledge for students in the national capital. In a post on social media platform X, Gupta said: 'To support candidates appearing for NEET (UG) 2026 on June 21, the Delhi government will provide free travel in all DTC buses upon presentation of a valid admit card.' She added: 'No student should face inconvenience on a day that holds such importance for their future. My best wishes to all NEET aspirants. May their hard work and determination lead them to success.'

Why NEET-UG 2026 Is Being Re-Held

The National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test-Undergraduate (NEET-UG) 2026 — the qualifying examination for admission to MBBS courses across India — was originally held on 3 May but was subsequently cancelled by the National Testing Agency (NTA) following allegations of irregularities. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is currently investigating the matter. The re-examination has been scheduled for 21 June.

Centre Assures Irregularity-Free Re-Exam

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan stated on Tuesday that various ministries of the Central government are taking all possible precautions to ensure the re-examination is conducted without any irregularities. Pradhan also noted that Chief Ministers and state administrations across the country are cooperating with the Centre to ensure a smooth conduct of the re-exam.

What This Means for Students

The free travel initiatives by Uttarakhand and Delhi are aimed at removing logistical barriers for students, many of whom travel long distances to reach exam centres. With the re-exam carrying high stakes — both for candidates and for the credibility of the examination process — state governments appear to be signalling active support. Whether other states will follow suit remains to be seen, but the pattern suggests growing political attention to the NEET re-exam's smooth conduct.