Thousands of students in Delhi on Sunday appeared for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) re-examination held under heightened security after the original test was cancelled over allegations of a question paper leak.

More than 22 lakh students took the test conducted by the National Testing Agency across 5,440 centres in 551 cities nationwide. In Delhi, the re-test was held at 97 centres with elaborate security arrangements in place. Many candidates said female students underwent double frisking at security checkpoints. “We were even asked to open our hair and undergo a thorough physical check by the security personnel,” said a student who did not wish to be named.

Fatigue and anxiety

For many candidates, the weeks between the cancellation of the original May 3 exam and Sunday’s re-test were filled with uncertainty, fatigue and anxiety. Meemansa, a resident of Palam who was allotted a centre at PM Shri Kendriya Vidyalaya, Masjid Moth, said the disruption had affected her preparation. “I was not able to study with the same determination as I had given my 100% in the first exam. All these days went in stress and self-doubt, and I just don’t know if I would be able to perform at the same level,” she said.

Another student said the re-test initially felt like an opportunity. “Now, I just want this day to pass so that I can get rid of the stress,” the student said.

A parent waiting outside an examination centre in Dwarka Sector 2 said, “The re-test will delay the admission process, which will affect other alternative career plans.”

Most students described the re-test paper as slightly tougher than the original examination, with physics emerging as the most challenging section.

(Alankrita Ray contributed to this report)