New Delhi, June 25: The retest of National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET-UG) was conducted with all fairness and without any major hiccups on June 21 across the country by the National Testing Agency (NTA), the central agency under the Ministry of Education for conducting multiple national-level competitive exams for admission to higher institutions.

This came as major relief for over 22 lakh medical aspirants as well as the NTA, particularly in light of intense criticism and backlash after the cancellation of the May 3 NEET exams due to paper leaks. The exams also marked an end to the ordeal for students and their parents.

For conducting the NEET re-examinations, the NTA not only plugged all gaps but also created a robust framework to ensure smooth examinations and addressed the concerns of anxious and distressed students by adding a ‘human touch’ to its preparations.

The NTA made extensive arrangements, ranging from essentials like drinking water to a series of “thoughtful measures” to extract the best out of the competing students. Many education experts saw the exams, not just a “big success” but as something “designed entirely around students”.

A look at the humane steps undertaken during the June 21 retest showed NTA’s commitment to students:

Clean drinking water to counselling

When students walked into examination centres for the NEET (UG) re-exams, they were greeted not just by invigilators but by a carefully designed environment built around their comfort, dignity, and peace of mind.

The NTA undertook a series of thoughtful, student-first measures to ensure that every candidate could perform at their best — free from stress, physical discomfort, or logistical anxiety.

Cool, Comfortable, and Well-Lit

Every examination centre was equipped with adequate lighting, fans and power backup systems to ensure uninterrupted comfort throughout the session.

Hydration as a right, not a privilege

Students were permitted to carry their own clear, transparent water bottles into the examination hall — a practical measure that respected candidates’ individual needs and reduced unnecessary anxiety during a high-pressure session.

Medical and diabetic accommodations

Basic first aid and medical support were stationed at centres. Diabetic candidates were permitted to carry permitted items such as fruits and sugar tablets.

Ballpoint pen provided at exam centres

To streamline entry and reduce the risk of malpractice, NTA provided black ballpoint pens at the venue. Students were relieved of carrying stationery, and the examination hall was kept free of unnecessary items.

More time for exams

The examination window was also extended by 15 minutes from 2:00 p.m. to 5:15 p.m., ensuring that invigilation formalities did not eat into the students’ actual test-taking time. Every minute of the exam belonged to the student.

The question booklet itself was redesigned with four pages of rough workspace, double that of earlier.

Tele-MANAS: A helpline for the heart

Perhaps the most quietly significant initiative was the integration of Tele-MANAS (Helpline: 14416) — the government’s mental health support service — as part of the examination ecosystem.

Those students experiencing exam-related stress or anxiety were made to interact with the trained counsellors, who not only comforted them with valuable guidance but also helped lift their spirits.

The string of measures undertaken by the NTA shows that there was a ‘fundamental shift’ in the way competitive examinations are conducted. The exam’s focus was not just on conducting smooth exams but also on hand-holding students the moment they walked into the examination centres.

More than 20 lakh candidates appeared for the NEET-UG re-examinations on June 21 at more than 5,000 centres across the country, and also 14 centres abroad. The re-examinations also saw the NTA mobilising Central machinery and engaging various government departments to conduct the exams. Around seven lakh officials, including police teams, observers and examination staff, were mobilised across the country, and this was done in just one month.

The scale of extensive preparations by the NTA also earned it praise from various quarters, including a plethora of students who appeared relieved and relaxed over the successful execution of the re-examinations.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also applauded the successful conduct of the NEET-UG re-examination on Wednesday. He said that the exercise demonstrated a “whole-of-government” approach and was organised “smoothly and with integrity”.

PM Modi, speaking at the cabinet meet on Wednesday, commended all the ministers involved in the exercise for fool-proof planning and execution and urged that the same coordinated model be adopted for similar occasions in the future.

New Delhi, June 25: In a major crackdown on narcotics trafficking under the Government of India’s flagship Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan, the Anti-Auto Theft Squad (AATS) of the South-East District Police has busted an interstate ganja smuggling network and seized 183 kilograms of contraband valued at around Rs 1.5 crore in the illegal market.

The operation led to the arrest of three key members of the syndicate, including the alleged mastermind and owner of the truck used to transport the narcotics. According to Delhi Police, the contraband was ingeniously concealed inside a specially fabricated secret compartment built above the driver’s cabin of a truck container.

Police said the seizure has dealt a significant blow to an interstate trafficking network operating across Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Delhi-NCR.

According to officials, the breakthrough came after the AATS received specific Intelligence on June 13, indicating that a truck container bearing registration number UP44AT2502 was carrying a large consignment of ganja from Uttar Pradesh towards Delhi via the Bombay Expressway during the intervening night of June 13 and 14.

The information was verified by SI Anil Kumar and shared with Inspector Ajay Dalal, In-Charge of AATS, who subsequently informed ACP Kalkaji V.K.P.S. Yadav. Acting on the tip-off, a special raiding team was constituted to intercept the vehicle and take action under the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.

The team, comprising SI Anil Kumar, SI Jitender Raghuvanshi, HC Sher Singh, HC Krishan, HC Zuber Khan, Constable Lakpa Tenzing Sherpa, Constable Akshay, Constable Shivam and Constable Hemen Deka, was deployed near Kalindi Kunj Metro Station under the leadership of Inspector Dalal and the supervision of ACP Yadav.

At around 1:50 A.M. on June 14, the suspected truck was spotted moving towards Delhi and was intercepted near the Indian Oil LPG Plant on the Kalindi Kunj-Madanpur Khadar Road.

Police identified the occupants of the vehicle as Subodh Kumar Mishra, the driver, and Brij Kishore Tiwari, his associate and helper. During a detailed search conducted in the presence of senior officers and crime team officials, investigators discovered a specially designed hidden cabin above the driver’s compartment. The concealed section could only be accessed through a secret hatch.

Inside the compartment, police recovered 38 packets wrapped in brown adhesive tape. Upon examination, the packets were found to contain ganja. A total of 183 kilograms of the contraband was seized.

Following the recovery, a case was registered under FIR No. 387/2026 under relevant Sections of the NDPS Act, and further investigation was assigned to SI Jitender of AATS, South-East District.

During interrogation, the arrested accused allegedly revealed that they were involved in transporting commercial quantities of ganja from suppliers based in Odisha and Andhra Pradesh to buyers in Delhi-NCR and nearby regions.

The investigation further revealed that the operation was allegedly being coordinated by Shriram, the owner of the truck and the alleged kingpin of the syndicate. Police said he was responsible for arranging the procurement, transportation and delivery of narcotics through a well-organised interstate network.

Based on disclosures made by the accused and technical surveillance, police traced and arrested Shriram from Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh. Investigators are now working to identify the source suppliers, financiers and other members linked to the trafficking network.

The three arrested accused have been identified as Subodh Kumar Mishra (40), a resident of Bettiah in Bihar’s West Champaran district; Brij Kishore Tiwari (36), also a resident of Bettiah; and Shriram, a resident of Makdoompur village in the Sultanpur-Ayodhya region of Uttar Pradesh.

Police said Shriram has previously been involved in three NDPS cases related to commercial quantities of narcotics.

Apart from the 183 kg of ganja, the truck container used to transport the contraband has also been seized.

Mumbai, June 25: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast widespread rainfall across Maharashtra on Thursday and issued weather alerts for 31 districts. Of these, 25 districts have been placed under a yellow alert, while six districts are under an orange alert, indicating the likelihood of continued rainfall, thunderstorms and strong winds.

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) reported 113 incidents of tree and branch falls across the city in the last 24 hours.

According to BMC records, 40 such incidents were reported in the city area, 23 in the eastern suburbs and 50 in the western suburbs, as heavy rainfall and gusty winds swept through the financial capital.

The southwest monsoon has now covered the remaining parts of Maharashtra, including Mumbai, bringing widespread rainfall across the state. Heavy showers lashed Mumbai and neighbouring Thane as monsoon activity intensified over the past two days.

The districts under yellow alert include Thane, Mumbai, Raigad, Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg, Nashik, Ahilyanagar, Kolhapur, Sangli, Solapur, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Jalna, Parbhani, Beed, Hingoli, Nanded, Akola, Amravati, Bhandara, Buldhana, Gadchiroli, Gondia, Nagpur, Wardha and Washim.

Meanwhile, Pune, Yavatmal, Latur, Dharashiv, Chandrapur and Satara have been placed under an orange alert due to the possibility of heavier rainfall and adverse weather conditions.

The monsoon has become active across nearly all regions of Maharashtra, bringing heavy rainfall to some areas and light to moderate showers to others. Rain intensity has been particularly high in Mumbai, the Konkan region and adjoining Goa, providing much-needed relief from the prolonged summer heat.

Rainfall has also been recorded in several districts, including Nashik, Jalgaon, Parbhani, Jalna, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Amravati, Yavatmal, Nagpur and Chandrapur. The monsoon has simultaneously advanced further into parts of Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh.

Meteorologists said the sudden surge in rainfall was not the result of a single weather system. Instead, it was triggered by the interaction of three atmospheric systems that collectively enhanced monsoon activity over Mumbai and surrounding regions.

The IMD has also predicted a gradual decline in temperatures. Maximum temperatures across Maharashtra are expected to fall by 2-4 degrees Celsius over the next two days before stabilising. Minimum temperatures are also likely to decrease gradually over the next four to five days.

Overall, monsoon conditions remain active across Maharashtra, with several districts experiencing widespread and, in some places, intense rainfall. The showers have brought significant relief from the heat, and the IMD has indicated that strong monsoon activity is likely to continue over the next few days. Residents have been advised to monitor weather updates and take necessary precautions.