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C-130J and AN-32 aircraft, along with Mi-17 and ALH helicopters, are likely to be used to move papers nationwide.
The NEET re-examination is scheduled to be held on June 21, with the government and authorities working in sync to ensure the exam is conducted in a flawless manner | File image
The Indian Air Force (IAF) is preparing to deploy transport aircraft and helicopters for the nationwide movement of confidential question papers and other examination material for the NEET-UG 2026 re-examination scheduled for June 21, defence sources told CNN-News18.
The operation, being planned as one of the country’s largest secure examination logistics exercises, will involve transporting question papers from around 18 distribution nodes to more than 50 destinations across India.
According to defence sources, the IAF is likely to use C-130J Super Hercules and AN-32 transport aircraft for fixed-wing operations. Mi-17 helicopters and Advanced Light Helicopters are expected to be deployed for deliveries to selected locations, particularly those where air connectivity or terrain makes conventional transport difficult.
Airstrips and helipads across the country have already been identified for the operation, while the final transport and deployment plan is being worked out ahead of the June 21 re-examination.
Multi-Leg Air And Road Network
The IAF operation will form part of a larger high-security logistics framework covering hundreds of cities through a combination of air and road transport.
Under the current plan, confidential examination material will first be moved from the designated distribution nodes to more than 50 locations using military aircraft and helicopters. It will then be transported to examination centres through a closely monitored road network.
The use of different aircraft will allow planners to tailor the operation according to the distance, terrain and infrastructure available at each destination. While transport aircraft will handle bulk movement between major nodes, helicopters are expected to be used for selected locations requiring faster or more specialised access.
Security and confidentiality will remain central to the exercise, given the sensitive nature of the examination material and the scale of the re-examination.
Defence sources said final planning for the transportation operation was underway.
Cabinet Secretary Reviews NTA Preparedness
The preparations come amid a series of high-level reviews by the Centre to ensure the re-examination is conducted securely and smoothly.
Cabinet Secretary Dr TV Somanathan on June 12 reviewed the preparedness of the National Testing Agency (NTA), which conducts standardised entrance examinations, during a meeting with its Director General, Abhishek Singh.
The meeting focused on coordination, security arrangements and measures required to maintain confidence in one of the country’s largest entrance examinations.
Somanathan stressed the need for the re-examination to be conducted in a transparent, secure and well-coordinated manner, saying the Centre and state governments were working closely to ensure that the exercise was held smoothly.
Issuing a warning against attempts to interfere with the examination, he said: “The full might and weight of the law will fall on any person trying in any manner to distort, disrupt or tamper with the integrity or smooth conduct of the re-examination.”
The June 12 review was the latest in a series of meetings held by the Cabinet Secretary. On June 1, he took stock of the arrangements with Central government secretaries and other stakeholders. Another meeting was held with state chief secretaries on June 4 to assess their readiness for the examination.
Why Is The NEET Re-Examination Being Held?
The NEET-UG 2026 examination was cancelled on May 12 following widespread allegations of a question paper leak, affecting more than 2.27 million aspirants.
The controversy intensified after investigations reportedly found significant similarities between a purported “guess paper” and the actual examination paper.
The Central Bureau of Investigation is currently probing the case and has made multiple arrests across states.
About the Author
.jpg?impolicy=website&width=60&height=60 "Akash Sharma")
Akash Sharma, Defence Correspondent, CNN-News 18, covers the Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Railways. In addition, he also follows developments in the national capital. With an extensive experien…Read More
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