The NEET-PG 2026 examination turned into a stressful experience for several medical aspirants at a test centre in Jaipur’s Sitapura area on Sunday after repeated power and technical problems disrupted the computer-based test.
Candidates alleged that the electricity supply at the centre was interrupted multiple times during the examination. Some aspirants claimed the disruptions occurred at intervals of around 10 to 15 minutes, affecting their ability to log in, access questions and continue answering the paper.
The repeated interruptions left candidates frustrated and anxious. After the examination window ended, several aspirants gathered outside the centre and protested, demanding that the authorities address the issue and ensure that they were not disadvantaged.
CANDIDATE RECALLS REPEATED INTERRUPTIONS
Dr Gaurav, one of the candidates at the centre, said the examination was repeatedly stopped and restarted.
“In two hours, the exam began 10 times and ended 10 times. There is no authority to answer why it was happening,” he said.
The examination was scheduled to take place from 9 am to 12 noon. However, technical failures reportedly prevented candidates from taking the test continuously.
ACP Lalit Sharma said authorities had been informed about problems with the centre’s server. According to him, some computers became operational while others failed to function, creating further confusion among candidates.
ASPIRANTS ALSO QUESTION CENTRE FACILITIES
Apart from the technical problems, candidates raised concerns about the basic facilities available at the examination venue.
Aspirants alleged that adequate cooling arrangements were not available inside the examination hall. They claimed there were insufficient fans, coolers or proper air-conditioning, while drinking-water facilities were also reportedly inadequate.
The conditions added to the difficulties faced by candidates who had spent months preparing for the highly competitive postgraduate medical entrance examination.
PROTESTS ERUPT AFTER EXAMINATION
Tensions rose after the scheduled examination period ended, with candidates gathering outside the centre to voice their grievances.
Parents accompanying the aspirants also expressed concern over the situation. For many candidates, the disruption raised fears that their performance—and ultimately their postgraduate medical admission prospects—could be affected.
Aspirants pointed out that even a small difference in marks can significantly influence NEET-PG rankings. A change in rank can determine the medical speciality, college and seat available to a candidate.
NBEMS ORDERS RE-EXAMINATION FOR AFFECTED CANDIDATES
The National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) subsequently announced a re-examination for candidates affected by the disruption at the Jaipur centre.
The re-test will be conducted on September 5 for candidates who appeared at examination centres 41,682 and 41,683 at iON Digital Zone iDZ, Sitapura.
NBEMS said the examination at the affected centres could not be completed because of internal power supply problems. The examination authority also apologised to the candidates who faced the disruption.
CANDIDATES SEEK TRANSPARENCY AND A LEVEL PLAYING FIELD
Although the re-examination gives affected aspirants another chance to take the test, some candidates have questioned whether the arrangement will ensure a completely level playing field.
They argue that NEET-PG ranks are highly sensitive to small differences in marks and that a separate examination could create concerns about variations in difficulty or testing conditions.
The affected candidates are therefore seeking a transparent review of the incident and assurances that their future admission prospects will not be compromised.
For the aspirants, the issue is no longer limited to a technical failure at one examination centre. They want the authorities to ensure that every candidate receives a fair and equal opportunity in one of the most important examinations of their medical careers.