Tight security as Indian students resit medical exam after alleged paper leak

Key developments are emerging from the global stage. Tight security as Indian students resit medical exam after alleged paper leak54 minutes ago Share Save Add as preferred on GoogleTiffany WertheimerHimanshu SHARMA / via Getty ImagesHeightened security at exam centres included metal detectors, CCTV and strict dress codesMillions of hopeful medical students across India are resitting a crucial exam under unprecedented security, after the first paper was cancelled following allegations that the questions had been leaked. Nervous students were met with biometric identification checks, metal detectors, armoured patrols and frisking at exam centres on Sunday morning. Leaving nothing to chance this time, the Indian Air Force transported the new test papers to some regions, while police and paramilitary officers were deployed at the 5,440 exam centres across the country.

The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (Undergraduate), known as NEET-UG, is required for students to join medical colleges in India. Of the millions who take the exam every year, only a small percentage do well enough to secure a coveted college placement. 28 million candidates sat the exam on 3 May, having studied for months - in some cases years - for the notoriously difficult paper.

The Details

The news that it had been scrapped was devastating for many students, and the scandal sparked widespread protests and demands for Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan to resign. He did not, and told students before Sunday's exam: "Sit fearlessly, without worry, and you will definitely do well. "The National Testing Agency (NTA) said every exam room, of which there were more than 95,000, had been fitted with security cameras, and that more than 1.

3 million cameras in total had been installed. It added that 51,311 jammers were being used to block phone signals and electrical interference. Controversially, Telegram has been temporarily blocked until Monday, over concerns the messaging app could be used for cheating.

Nearly 39,000 frisking staff had been employed across the country to check for any prohibited items, the NTA said, and there would be 40-50 security personnel stationed at every exam centre. It advised students to "ignore rumours and fake 'paper leak' messages circulating on social media", saying they were designed to "mislead and cause stress". ReutersThe Indian Air Force was used to transport the new exam papers securely to some regionsIndia Today reported drones and dog squads had been deployed to keep an eye on the surrounding areas of some centres.

What Experts Say

It also said that strict dress codes were being enforced, including the banning of enclosed shoes, and that some women had been asked to remove their nose pins and wrist threads. Pictures from outside exam centres showed security personnel inspecting candidates' hair, and taking out their earrings. Despite the heightened security, some students said they were still worried things could go wrong again.

"There is fear because the paper has leaked once already.

The story has become one of the most prominent items on the global agenda.