Bihar announces free bus travel for students taking NEET UG 2026 re-exam

Ahead of the NEET-UG 2026 re-exam, Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary announced free travel for students on all state government buses. The move comes amid nationwide anxiety following the paper leak controversy, as political leaders continue debating accountability, exam reforms and student stress linked to the cancelled examination.

In Short

• Bihar government to provide free bus travel for NEET re-exam candidates
• CM urges NGOs and temples to help students with water and food support
• Political pressure grows as NEET leak probe and NTA scrutiny continue

As lakhs of students prepare once again for the NEET-UG 2026 re-exam after the paper leak controversy, Bihar has announced a major relief measure for aspirants and their families.

Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary said students appearing for the NEET re-exam on June 21 will be allowed to travel free of cost on all government buses across the state.

The announcement comes at a time when students and parents across India are dealing with uncertainty, stress and travel concerns following the cancellation of the May 3 NEET exam.

Taking to X, Choudhary said, "For the convenience of all examinees appearing in the NEET examination, travel will be free on all government buses of the state of Bihar."

WATER, FOOD SUPPORT ALSO REQUESTED

The Bihar CM also appealed to temples, monasteries, district administrations and NGOs to support students during the re-exam period.

He requested arrangements for "drinking water, sattu, etc." for students and parents at railway stations, bus stands and other major public locations.

The gesture has drawn attention online, especially because many NEET candidates will once again have to travel long distances after the nationwide exam was scrapped over the alleged paper leak.

More than 22 lakh candidates had appeared for NEET-UG 2026 across India and abroad before the exam was cancelled.

POLITICAL PRESSURE ON NTA CONTINUES

Meanwhile, political reactions around the NEET controversy continue to intensify.

Union Minister and Lok Janshakti Party (R) chief Chirag Paswan criticised the response of National Testing Agency Director General Abhishek Singh, saying the system must become more sensitive to the seriousness of such incidents.

"This is a serious issue," Paswan said. "The system should be sensitised. This will not be acceptable in the future."

According to sources, NTA officials recently informed the Parliamentary Standing Committee that the entire paper was not leaked, but only certain questions had surfaced before the examination.

Officials also defended the cancellation decision under the agency’s "zero-tolerance" policy, saying even limited compromise could damage public trust in national examinations.

The NEET-UG 2026 re-exam is now scheduled for June 21 under tighter security measures.

- Ends