NEET 2026 re-exam: IAF to airlift question papers to 18 locations

The officials familiar with the matter told HT that the agency was required to conduct an exercise within 38 days, one that typically takes about six months to prepare for. The NEET UG 2026 re-test was announced on May 15, and due to the limited time available, the agency had to redo the entire examination process, ranging from setting and translating the paper to printing and distribution, in just over a month.

Therefore, the IAF will help reduce the delivery time from the usual 8-10 days to 4-5 days. This will ensure the safe and timely delivery of confidential question papers to over 550 cities, including remote and weather-sensitive locations like the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep, ahead of the examination scheduled for June 21.

In this regard, speaking to the HT, an NTA official said, “Normally, transportation of question papers takes eight to 10 days. With IAF support, we expect to bring that down to four or five days”.

Further, speaking to NDTV, Defence Ministry sources said, "The Indian Air Force (IAF) will provide logistical support for the National Eligibility--Entrance Test Undergraduate (NEET-UG) re-examination scheduled on June 21, with its aircraft tasked with transporting question paper packets to 18 locations across the country."

NTA also said that the biggest challenge is to deliver the question papers across India during the monsoon season. Parts of Bihar and Assam remain at risk of flooding, while heavy rains often hamper connectivity in the northeast. There are also logistical difficulties in reaching the centres located on remote islands.

“Question papers have to reach every centre within a narrow window. Air Force assistance gives us the ability to move consignments quickly and reliably despite weather and geographical constraints,” the official quoted

Sealed question paper packets will be transported by air to designated locations and subsequently forwarded via established security arrangements.