By 11am, the area outside Kendriya Vidyalaya in RK Puram’s Sector 2 had already begun filling up.
Students carrying transparent folders, admit cards clutched tightly in their hands, along with two passport-sized photographs and a photo identity card, walked towards the examination centre as parents trailed behind. Some revised formulas one final time. Others preferred silence. A few simply stared at their phones, trying to distract themselves from the pressure of the day.
For nearly 22 lakh candidates across the country, Sunday was another crucial test day as the NEET-UG 2026 re-examination got underway amid heightened security and extensive arrangements.
Earlier in the day, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan appealed to students to appear for the examination “fearlessly” and urged political leaders and public figures not to spread rumours or create confusion that could affect young aspirants.
At the RK Puram centre, however, the focus was less on politics and more on reaching the examination hall before the gates shut at 1.30pm.
That deadline was clearly weighing on many minds.
“There is always a fear of being late,” one student told News X while hurrying towards the gate. “Traffic, checking, anything can happen. Once you enter, then you can relax.”
News X spoke to several students and parents outside the centre. Anxiety was visible, but so was optimism.
Almost everyone shared one common hope: that this time the examination process would remain smooth, seamless and free from controversy.
“We have prepared for months,” said a parent waiting outside. “Now all we want is a fair examination and timely results.”
To ensure candidates faced minimal inconvenience, authorities rolled out a series of support measures across Delhi. Free bus services were arranged, metro services began earlier than usual, and cooling stations were set up outside examination centres. At many locations, volunteers distributed ORS, water and shikanji, while coolers provided relief from the summer heat. Emergency assistance numbers were also displayed for students and parents.
As candidates disappeared through the school gates, nervous conversations gradually gave way to hours of waiting.
Then came the second half of the story.
When students emerged after the examination, the atmosphere felt noticeably lighter.
Many candidates told News X that the paper had gone well and that they were satisfied with their performance. Some discussed expected scores with friends. Others immediately called their parents to share how the exam had gone.
“There were difficult questions, but overall it was manageable,” one student said with a smile.
Another candidate appeared relieved simply to have completed the examination. “Now it is in God’s hands,” he laughed.
For many students, the day ended not with certainty, but with hope.
Hope that the process remains transparent.
Hope that the results reflect their hard work.
And hope that the months, and for some years, of preparation will finally bring them one step closer to their dream of becoming doctors.
As parents embraced their children outside the centre and students headed home, the tension that had filled RK Puram through the afternoon slowly began to fade, replaced by a quieter feeling familiar to every examination season.
The wait for results had begun.