HRTC offers free travel to NEET candidates amid paper leak fallout
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HRTC offers free travel to NEET candidates amid paper leak fallout
Shimla, June 19,
At a time when thousands of NEET aspirants across the country are grappling with uncertainty, stress and anxiety following the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak, the Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) has announced free travel for candidates appearing in the re-examination scheduled on June 21.
According to an official circular issued by the HRTC Headquarters in Shimla, candidates appearing in the NEET examination would be allowed to travel free of cost in ordinary HRTC buses from their place of residence to the examination centre and back.
The order, issued by Deputy General Manager (CP/IT) Rajesh Sharma, states that the facility would be available from June 20 to June 22.
Candidates would have to produce their NEET admit card, which would serve as proof of identity, place of residence and examination centre. The concession would be restricted to one onward and one return journey.
The move comes in the backdrop of the nationwide controversy surrounding the alleged leakage of the NEET-UG 2026 question paper.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has already registered an FIR and launched a multi-state probe into the alleged irregularities after reports surfaced that confidential examination material had been circulated before the test conducted on May 3.
The scandal has left lakhs of students facing emotional and academic turmoil. Many aspirants, who had spent months preparing for the examination, have been forced to undergo the stressful process once again following the decision to hold a re-test.
Students and parents have expressed concerns over the mental trauma, uncertainty and additional financial burden caused by the developments.
Against this backdrop, HRTC’s decision is being viewed as a relief measure aimed at reducing at least part of the financial burden on candidates and their families.
The corporation has directed all unit officers and conductors to ensure smooth implementation of the facility and maintain detailed records of free travel availed by students.
While the free bus travel may provide some logistical support, the larger concerns regarding the integrity of national-level examinations and the hardship faced by students continue to dominate public discourse as investigations into the alleged paper leak gather pace.
Also read:NEET-UG paper leak in many States of India, SFI seeks resignation of HR Minister
Political observers note that the controversy could have consequences beyond the education sector. Whether governed by the BJP or the Congress, state governments across the country may find themselves facing growing public anger if examination irregularities continue unabated.
The emergence of what some commentators describe as a “Cockroach Janata Party”—a metaphor for a spontaneous, leaderless and highly resilient youth-driven public backlash against systemic failures—reflects a deeper undercurrent of frustration among students.
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