NEET Retest: Four Students Denied Entry in Karnataka, Political Blame Game Ensues

Four students in Karnataka were not allowed to write the UG NEET 2026 retest on Sunday, according to officials. Three were denied entry due to late arrival, while one student presented the hall ticket from the May 3 examination instead of the retest permit.

Three of the affected students were assigned to the Government Ramnarayan Chellaram College of Commerce and Management (R.C. College) examination centre in Bengaluru. Two students arrived a few minutes after the gates had closed; they pleaded and cried but were not permitted inside. One student attempted to climb the compound grill but was restrained by police. The third student mistakenly carried the old hall ticket. The fourth student arrived 20 minutes late at the Government First Grade College examination centre in Gangavathi taluk, Koppal district, and was also turned away.

The incident triggered a political exchange between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Indian National Congress. BJP MP Tejasvi Surya alleged that a Congress rally held at Palace Grounds on the same day caused massive traffic disruptions, delaying students. He posted on social media that the Congress could have chosen another day for the event. In response, Home Minister Priyank Kharge dismissed the claim as misinformation, stating that only one student from the R.T. Nagar area missed the exam due to traffic, and the exact reason is being investigated. He added that the Bengaluru Traffic Police had issued public notifications and advisories in advance. Kharge further criticised the BJP MP for remaining silent on previous NEET mismanagement, including alleged paper leaks and student suicides.

The examination authorities adhered to standard protocols, and no further accommodation was provided beyond the official guidelines.