The re-examination of the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) UG was conducted smoothly across West Bengal on 21 June 2024, with 1.09 lakh candidates appearing at 218 centres statewide. Nationally, 22.79 lakh candidates sat for the re-test, which was held following a paper-leak controversy that forced the cancellation of the original 3 May examination.

Exam Day Turnout and Centre Details

The 218 examination centres in West Bengal included prominent institutions such as Calcutta University and Jadavpur University. According to reports, candidate turnout at several centres on 21 June was lower than the numbers recorded on 3 May, though the examination itself proceeded without reported disruption.

The National Testing Agency (NTA) had stipulated that candidates would be permitted entry between 11 am and 1:30 pm IST, after which no entry would be allowed. Given that biometric verification is time-intensive, the agency had advised candidates to arrive well in advance — and many did, reaching their centres considerably ahead of schedule.

Student Reactions: Physics Flagged as Difficult

Several students who appeared for the re-examination noted that the Physics section was considerably harder than expected. Anushka Agarwal from Malda district, who appeared at a centre in Calcutta University, said the previous examination on 3 May had been easier by comparison. Two candidates from Tollygunge and Kidderpore in Kolkata expressed similar views.

On social media, multiple candidates noted that while the Biology section was manageable, the Physics paper was comparatively more demanding. These observations are anecdotal and not yet corroborated by any official difficulty analysis.

Injured Student Appears with Medical Support

In a notable instance of determination, Shrishti Dubey, a candidate who sustained serious injuries in a road accident on 14 June, appeared for the re-examination at Binodini Girls' School in south Kolkata. According to reports, she suffered fractures in nine ribs and sustained lung injuries in the accident.

Her father contacted Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan following the accident, after which the Ministry of Education intervened to make special arrangements. The NTA confirmed that Shrishti was accommodated on the ground floor of the examination centre, with a medical team accompanying her and an ambulance stationed outside throughout the examination.

Yoga Day Disruptions and Early Departures

The re-examination coincided with International Yoga Day, which was observed at several prominent locations across West Bengal, including Rabindra Setu. Road closures linked to the event prompted many candidates to leave home earlier than usual to avoid delays — adding an additional logistical layer to an already high-stakes day.

Background: Why the Re-Examination Was Held

The original NEET UG 2024 examination, held on 3 May, drew more than 22 lakh candidates nationally. Allegations of question paper leakage emerged shortly after the exam, triggering widespread protests across the country. On 12 May, the NTA announced the cancellation of the examination. For the 21 June re-test, the agency introduced several safeguards to prevent a recurrence of the alleged malpractice. The smooth conduct of the re-examination in West Bengal is being seen as an early positive signal, though a full national assessment is awaited.