Has NEET Now Become a National Security Operation? Centre Eyes IAF for Paper Transport

IIndia has never deployed its Air Force to deliver exam papers. Until now. In a development that underscores just how deeply the NEET-UG paper leak crisis has shaken the nation’s institutions, the Centre is actively considering using Indian Air Force aircraft to transport question papers for the June 21 retest , a measure that effectively elevates a university entrance examination to the level of a national security operation .

Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan confirmed that the IAF would be roped in to help transport question papers for the re examination, underlining the Centre’s push for leak proof arrangements . He said that in view of logistical and security considerations, particularly weather conditions in June, the government had decided to involve the Air Force in the secure transportation of papers. Work that was earlier handled entirely by the postal department will now also be supported by the IAF to ensure papers reach centres safely and on time.

The decision did not come in a vacuum. On May 3, the NEET-UG exam was conducted across thousands of centres under what were described as full security protocols, biometrics, CCTV surveillance and GPS tracked paper movement. And yet, investigators later found that a document containing around 410 questions had reportedly been circulating on WhatsApp groups between 15 days and a month before the examination. The exam was eventually cancelled on May 12 after investigators discovered overlaps between a pre circulated “guess paper” and the actual question paper.

What investigators uncovered was not simply cheating, but what agencies describe as an organised underground economy built around high stakes entrance examinations. The CBI , which is now leading the probe, told the court that key accused were actively involved in leaking question papers before the examination began and that the case points to the existence of an organised gang. So far, 13 accused have been arrested from Delhi, Jaipur, Gurugram, Nashik, Pune, Latur and Ahilyanagar.

The human cost of the scandal has been devastating. Among those affected was Pradeep Manich , a 23 year old aspirant from Rajasthan’s coaching hub of Sikar, whose family had reportedly sold land and taken loans to support his preparation. He died by suicide after the examination was cancelled. Reports indicate that at least three students have died by suicide following the leak controversy. Nationwide protests erupted, petitions reached the Supreme Court , and medical associations demanded accountability and even the dissolution of the National Testing Agency (NTA) .

Pradhan has acknowledged that the command chain was breached despite multiple safeguards being in place, and said the government chose to cancel the examination to protect students’ interests. Authorities are also identifying secure storage facilities beyond conventional bank strongrooms. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is believed to be personally monitoring preparations for the June 21 retest and is being updated on every aspect of the examination process.

For more than 22 lakh students who have already lost months to uncertainty and anxiety, the image of Air Force aircraft carrying exam papers across the country is no longer symbolic excess. For many, it is the bare minimum reassurance the system now owes them.