Nagpur: Over 12,000 candidates appeared for the NEET-UG 2026 retest at 30 centres across Nagpur on Sunday, with the examination passing off smoothly under tight security and surveillance, barring a few isolated incidents. While candidates and parents largely praised the arrangements, the question paper drew mixed reactions, with most students finding it tougher than the original test conducted on May 3.At Shivaji Science College (DNC), where two girl students were denied entry after arriving beyond the stipulated reporting time. One reached the centre three minutes after the gates were shut at 1.30pm, while the other arrived around 2pm. Entry to the centres had commenced at 11am. Both students, visibly distressed, were unable to provide a satisfactory explanation for the delay.For many candidates, the retest proved significantly more demanding than the earlier examination, particularly in Physics.Ayush Sharma said the paper was considerably tougher than the May 3 test. “Biology was comparatively easy, while Chemistry and Physics were lengthy. Physics, in particular, was very challenging. In the earlier paper, we could comfortably attempt around 40 out of 45 questions in each section, but this time that was much harder because of the paper’s length and complexity,” he said.Shranvi Kumar described the paper as balanced overall but found Physics the most difficult section due to several tricky questions. Sana Qureshi echoed a similar view, saying Biology was the easiest section while Physics consumed the most time. “Being a nursing student, I could solve Biology quickly without much difficulty,” she said.Aayushi termed the paper manageable but noted that Physics demanded far more time than anticipated. While appreciating the arrangements at the examination centre, she felt additional facilities could have been provided for parents waiting outside in the intense heat.Not all candidates found the paper difficult. Mohammad Shafad said the re-test was easier than the previous attempt. According to him, Biology boosted his confidence during the examination, while Chemistry was slightly lengthy. Trisha also rated Biology as the easiest section and felt the overall paper was easier than the earlier exam, despite Physics being moderately difficult.Pranay Bagade also assessed the paper as moderate and easier than the previous test. He also commended the facilities at his centre, citing comfortable seating and adequate drinking water arrangements. Divyanka, however, felt the paper was moderately difficult and more challenging than the earlier examination, requiring greater effort. Prachi said she found the paper easier than last year’s examination and was able to attempt most questions comfortably.Some candidates remained dissatisfied with the decision to conduct a re-test. A student who requested anonymity described the paper as “pretty tough” and said she would have preferred the marks from the original examination to be considered.Outside the centres, parents voiced concern over the emotional toll the re-test had taken on students. One parent remarked, “Not a single child walking out of the examination centre looks as happy as they were last time. Earlier, students came out smiling and confident. It is heartbreaking to see them go through this stress and uncertainty all over again.”(Reporting by Siya Punyani, Ketki Deoghare, Poornima Pendhari, Sneha Singh and Vansh Jain)
