Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan held a high level review meeting with central security and intelligence agencies to assess preparations for the upcoming NEET UG re examination. He ordered strict action against fake Telegram channels and online networks spreading false information about the exam.
Officials said the minister emphasised the need for strong vigilance and secure systems to ensure a fair and transparent conduct of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test for undergraduate medical courses. Senior representatives from the Ministry of Education and the National Testing Agency also attended the meeting, where exam readiness and potential risks were examined in detail.
In a separate discussion with major social media companies including Meta, Google and Telegram, concerns were raised about the rising spread of misinformation during competitive exams. Authorities noted that several anonymous channels become active before exams, sharing fake paper leak claims, misleading posts and unverified updates that create confusion among students and parents.
Officials added that many of these networks use bots and automated systems to amplify false content, while intelligence inputs suggest coordinated activity using limited phone numbers. Taking serious note of this, Pradhan directed agencies to identify, block and remove such channels in advance of examinations.
He also urged social media platforms to work closely with the Ministry of Education, NTA and law enforcement agencies to prevent the spread of misinformation and protect the credibility of the examination system. He stressed that maintaining student trust and exam integrity remains a top priority.
The NEET UG 2026 exam conducted on May 3 was recently cancelled by the NTA following alleged paper leak reports. The case is currently under investigation by the CBI, and the re examination is scheduled for June 21.
