The National Testing Agency (NTA) take action after investigating an incident at a Surat exam center where a Hindu girl asked to remove her ‘Tulsi Kanthi mala’ (sacred necklace) before taking the NEET-UG 2026 on Sunday, a senior official stated.
The official described the incident at the exam center in Surat’s Amroli as “wrong” and “unacceptable.” It violated the agency’s dress code guidelines.
Hindu girl asked to remove religious mala during NEET exam
A video of the incident went viral, showing the candidate’s father questioning the fairness of the exam and the respect for religious freedom. Eventually, the teacher involved in the frisking allowed the girl to enter with her mala.
“This is unacceptable. Clear instructions given that religious symbols not removed. We will look into the matter and take appropriate action,” the official told HT. “While most candidates allowed such items, a few exceptions made, which is wrong. A detailed statement will follow after we receive the field report.”
Spark Hindu religion row
In a notice dated April 30, the NTA clarified that candidates could wear articles of faith, “subject to reporting at the center well in advance to enable frisking.”
NEET -UG 2026 that conducted in pen-and-paper format on May 3 for admission to MBBS and other undergraduate medical courses, recorded a 96.92% attendance. Over 22.05 lakh candidates appeared nationwide out of 22.75 lakh registered aspirants.
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