Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on 20 June 2025 announced that all NEET UG 2026 retest candidates appearing on Sunday will be entitled to free travel on Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) buses, and that special cooling zones will be set up outside all 97 examination centres across the capital for waiting family members. The measures, announced on the eve of the retest, are aimed at easing logistical and weather-related hardships on one of India's most high-stakes medical entrance days.

How Candidates Can Avail Free Bus Travel

To access complimentary DTC bus rides, candidates will only need to present their valid NEET admit card to the bus conductor — no separate pass or registration is required. The facility covers travel on exam day, Sunday, across the DTC network serving all 97 designated test centres in New Delhi.

Cooling Zones for Parents and Families

In what Chief Minister Gupta described as the first such initiative of its kind in the city, the Delhi district administration is establishing dedicated cooling zones in the vicinity of every examination centre. These zones will provide seating and resting facilities, clean drinking water, lime water, ORS, tea, and first-aid support for parents and family members who wait outside while candidates sit the exam.

Gupta noted that the discomfort faced by parents waiting for several hours in summer heat has historically gone unaddressed. 'When parents feel comfortable and reassured, it also has a positive impact on students, helping them appear for the examination with greater confidence,' she said.

Scale of the NEET Retest in Delhi

A total of 97 examination centres have been designated across Delhi for the NEET UG 2026 retest. The district administration is coordinating logistics across all sites to ensure uniform availability of facilities. This is reportedly the first time the Delhi government has formally organised waiting arrangements keeping in mind the comfort of accompanying family members, not just the candidates themselves.

Broader Context

The NEET UG retest follows a period of significant controversy surrounding the medical entrance examination, making smooth and credible conduct of the retest a priority for both the Centre and state administrations. Delhi's logistical push — free transport and family welfare zones — signals an effort to reduce friction and project administrative competence ahead of a politically sensitive exam day. This comes amid heightened public scrutiny of examination management nationwide.

The Delhi government's support measures are expected to benefit thousands of candidates and their families travelling from across the National Capital Region on Sunday.