NEET retest: Cooling zones set up for parents waiting outside exam centres

In a first, parents waiting outside NEET retest centres in Delhi on Sunday will have access to dedicated “cooling zones” with seating, drinking water, ORS, shikanji and first-aid facilities as many of whom spend several hours outside centres while candidates take the test.

The arrangements will be made at all 97 centres in the capital, where thousands of candidates are expected to appear for the medical entrance examination on June 21. The city Government has already announced free travel in DTC buses on the exam day. The announcement comes amid hot weather conditions in the national capital and follows concerns over the lack of waiting facilities for parents accompanying students to examination centres.

According to a press statement issued by the chief ministers’ office, Delhi Government will set up 97 ‘cooling zones’ and offer lemonade and other facilities to the parents of the NEET examinees outside the examination centres across the city. According to official figures, 69 of Delhi’s 97 NEET centres are located in Government schools, while 28 are in Kendriya Vidyalayas.

The Government said district administrations have been directed to set up waiting areas near examination venues for parents and guardians, many of whom spend several hours outside centres while candidates take the test.

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said many parents are often left waiting outdoors for long periods during major examinations.

“Every year, millions of families arrive at examination centres carrying dreams for their children’s future. During the examination, candidates remain inside while parents wait outside for several hours. Yet the anxiety, heat, discomfort and inconvenience faced by parents often go unnoticed,” she said. She added that parents and family members have often been seen waiting under trees, in parks or around nearby markets during examination hours, particularly during peak summer conditions.

The cooling zones will have comfortable seating and provide ORS drinks, drinking water and lemonade to the parents while they rest and wait there. First aid and tea will also be available at the centres, according to the statement.

The chief minister noted that a total of 97 NEET examination centres have been set up in Delhi, including 69 in Government schools and 28 in Kendriya Vidyalayas.

The Delhi Government is already running 85 cooling zones where coolers, drinking water and other facilities are provided to people seeking shelter from summer heat.

“The anxiety, heat, discomfort and inconvenience faced by parents often go unnoticed. Understanding this human aspect, the Delhi Government has decided to ensure that parents do not face inconvenience on the day of the examination,” the chief minister said.

Candidates appearing for the NEET-UG 2026 re-examination in Delhi on June 21 will be allowed to travel free of cost on DTC and Delhi Integrated Multi-Modal Transit System (DIMTS) cluster buses, according to an official circular. As per the circular issued on June 15, candidates appearing for the NEET-UG 2026 re-examination can avail free travel on all Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) and cluster buses throughout the day on June 21 by producing a valid admit card.

The concession will be available for both onward and return journeys, it said.

The circular directed depot managers to ensure that drivers and conductors are adequately informed about the arrangement and that no eligible candidate is denied the benefit under any circumstances.

Regional managers have also been asked to sensitise checking staff and terminal supervisors regarding the directions and ensure that complaints or queries from candidates are addressed promptly, it read.

The National Testing Agency (NTA) on May 12 cancelled the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (Undergraduate), or NEET, held on May 3 for medical admissions amid allegations of paper leak.  The paper leak allegations are under investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).