New Delhi, August 30: The National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) PG 2026 examination commenced on Sunday, with over 2.73 lakh medical graduates appearing for the medical entrance examination at designated centres across the country.

The examination is being conducted by the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) in computer-based mode in a single shift from 9 AM to 12.30 PM.

Elaborate security arrangements, including CCTV surveillance, biometric authentication, frisking, signal jammers, dynamic computer allocation and live monitoring through central and regional command centres, have been put in place to prevent any malpractice and illegal activities during the examination process.

The NEET PG is conducted for admission to postgraduate medical courses across the country. The examination will determine eligibility for admission to advanced medical courses, including MD (Doctor of Medicine) and MS (Master of Surgery), offered by Government and private medical colleges.

Recently, Union Health and Family Welfare Minister JP Nadda reviewed preparations for the examination and directed the authorities involved to ensure a secure, transparent, technology-enabled and candidate-friendly process.

The crucial examination comes months after the NEET UG 2026 examination, which was conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) on May 3 in pen-and-paper mode, was cancelled following allegations of a paper leak, with the NTA conducting re-examination on June 21.

Around 22.79 lakh candidates had registered for NEET UG 2026, which was conducted across examination centres in India and abroad. The cancellation and re-examination triggered massive political and student protests across the country. The CBI has been entrusted with the investigation into alleged irregularities and paper-leak claims linked to the May 3 examination.