India
oi-Swastika Sruti
Tense scenes unfolded outside Maharshi Dayanand (MD) College in Mumbai’s Parel area on Sunday after a female candidate appearing for the NEET-UG re-examination was denied entry for arriving shortly after the designated gate-closing time.
A female NEET-UG candidate was denied entry to the re-examination at Mumbai’s MD College for arriving one minute past the 1:30 PM gate closing time, leading to parental protests over transport issues and alleged early gate closure, while NTA guidelines were ultimately enforced.
The incident led to emotional appeals, heated arguments, and protests from parents who claimed that transport disruptions were responsible for the delay.
The student, who had travelled from Kurla, reached the examination centre at around 1:31 PM. According to National Testing Agency (NTA) guidelines, candidates were required to enter the venue by 1:30 PM. As a result, she was not allowed inside the campus to take the examination.
Parents Blame Traffic and Transport Disruptions
The incident quickly sparked anger among parents and guardians present outside the examination centre. Several people claimed that travelling across Mumbai had become difficult due to an ongoing BEST bus strike, which had reduced public transport availability and caused traffic congestion in different parts of the city.
NEET re-exam के लिए #Mumbai के परेल स्थित एक कॉलेज में 2 min late आई एक छात्रा को entry से रोका गया..वहाँ खड़े अभिभावकों ने सेंटर का गेट तय समय से 7 min पहले बंद करने का आरोप लगाया..भारी हंगामा हुआ@TNNavbharat @EduMinOfIndia @dpradhanbjp pic.twitter.com/qmPKYPPOb4
— Atul singh (@atuljmd123) June 21, 2026
Parents argued that students were already under immense pressure because of the high-stakes examination and that authorities should have considered the exceptional circumstances before refusing entry.
Many felt that a delay of just a minute should not have resulted in a student losing the opportunity to appear for an exam that could shape her future career.
Allegations of Early Gate Closure
The controversy deepened when some parents alleged that the college had closed its gates before the official deadline. According to eyewitnesses, the main gate was reportedly shut at around 1:27 PM, three minutes before the scheduled closing time.
While these claims could not be independently verified, they added to the frustration among parents waiting outside the venue. Several demanded an explanation from the authorities and questioned whether all candidates had been given a fair chance to enter before the deadline.
The student and her family reportedly pleaded with officials to allow her inside, but their requests were not accepted.
Emotional Scenes Outside the Exam Centre
As it became clear that she would not be permitted to sit for the examination, the student broke down in tears. Her parents, along with several bystanders, urged the college administration to reconsider the decision.
Police personnel stationed outside the centre also reportedly spoke with officials regarding the matter. However, the administration maintained that it was required to follow NTA guidelines strictly and could not make exceptions once the gate-closing time had passed.
The emotional scenes drew the attention of many people gathered outside, with several expressing sympathy for the candidate and her family.
Strict Rules in Place for NEET Re-Examination
The re-examination is being conducted under some of the strictest security arrangements ever seen for a national-level entrance test. The National Testing Agency is holding the exam for more than 22 lakh medical aspirants after the original test conducted on May 3 was cancelled following allegations of a paper leak.
To maintain transparency and prevent malpractice, authorities have introduced biometric verification, face authentication, extensive CCTV surveillance, and other security measures at examination centres across the country.
According to NTA rules, candidates are allowed to enter centres from 11:00 AM onwards, while gates close at exactly 1:30 PM. These timings are enforced to ensure that all pre-exam security procedures are completed before the examination begins at 2:00 PM.
Debate Over Rules and Flexibility
While the examination continued smoothly inside the centre, the incident reignited a broader debate about whether exam authorities should show flexibility in exceptional situations such as transport strikes or severe traffic disruptions.
Parents at the venue argued that unforeseen circumstances can sometimes prevent students from reaching centres on time despite their best efforts. However, authorities maintain that strict adherence to timelines is necessary to preserve the fairness and integrity of large-scale examinations.
For the student who missed the exam by a matter of minutes, the day ended in disappointment, while the incident left many questioning whether rigid rules should allow room for exceptional circumstances.
