JnK health minister seeks NEET 2026 application deadline extension over internet issues in Kashmir

The National Testing Agency (NTA) is closing the National Eligibility and Entrance Test-Undergraduate (NEET UG) registration window for the academic year 2026 tomorrow, March 8.

The Minister of Health and Medical Education sent a letter to Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on March 6th regarding this matter. In the letter, Sakina stated that many students from Jammu and Kashmir are facing difficulties applying for the national-level medical entrance exam due to low internet speeds in several areas of the Kashmir division.

The letter further states that the administration has only allowed low-speed internet service in some areas to maintain law and order, causing technical difficulties for students trying to complete the online application process. Sakina Itoo said that slow connectivity has made it difficult for many candidates to submit their forms by the deadline.

The Minister stated that NEET UG is an essential exam for students aspiring to pursue medical studies and related courses, and the inability to submit applications due to connectivity issues could negatively impact their educational opportunities. She added that many students, especially those in remote and rural areas, rely on stable internet service to access the online application portal.

Therefore, the Minister requested the Union Ministry of Education to consider extending the deadline for submitting NEET UG 2026 applications so that eligible candidates from Jammu and Kashmir, especially those from the Kashmir Division, can apply. He stated that prompt and compassionate consideration of the request would greatly benefit students from the region, according to GreaterKashmir.