Four students in Karnataka were denied permission to appear for the NEET-UG 2026 re-examination on Sunday, with three arriving after the prescribed deadline and another carrying the wrong hall ticket.
The incidents occurred amid strict National Testing Agency (NTA) regulations that barred entry after 1.30 pm, regardless of the reason for the delay.
While examination authorities maintained that the rules were uniformly enforced, the issue soon escalated into a political controversy after allegations emerged that traffic congestion caused by a Congress event had contributed to some students reaching their centres late.
Three students arrive after deadline
According to reports, three candidates were denied entry after reaching their examination centres shortly after the gate-closing time.
The students reportedly attempted to explain the delay, but officials followed NTA guidelines, which prohibit entry once the gates are closed.
In a separate case, another student was unable to take the examination after arriving with the hall ticket issued for the original NEET examination conducted on May 3 instead of the re-test admit card.
Congress rally blamed for delays
The issue drew sharp reactions from political leaders after reports suggested that traffic congestion near some examination centres may have contributed to delays.
BJP MP Tejasvi Surya criticised the Congress, alleging that a large rally held at Palace Grounds in Bengaluru on the day of the examination caused traffic disruptions that affected students travelling to centres.
The event marked the formal assumption of office by senior Congress leader B K Hariprasad as the party’s Karnataka unit chief.
Congress dismisses allegations
Responding to the accusations, Karnataka Home Minister Priyank Kharge rejected the claims and described them as misinformation.
He maintained that attempts were being made to politicise the issue and questioned the narrative linking the rally to students missing the examination.
The exchange has added a political dimension to an issue that has already caused disappointment for affected candidates and their families.
Strict rules leave little room for exceptions
The NEET-UG re-examination was conducted under stringent security and procedural guidelines across the country.
Authorities reiterated that no candidate could be permitted entry after the deadline, regardless of the circumstances, in order to maintain the integrity and fairness of the examination process.