Punjab CM announces free bus travel for NEET aspirants on June 20-22; admit card valid as ticket
Amritsar, May 20
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Wednesday announced that the state government will waive off bus fare for students appearing for the NEET examination, allowing them free travel on Punjab Roadways buses on June 20, 21, and 22.
In a post on X, CM Mann said that many students preparing for NEET come from economically weaker backgrounds and often struggle even to arrange travel expenses to reach their exam centres.
"Many poor students take the NEET exam. They don't even have money for the fare to get to the exam center. When Kejriwal recently spoke with the NEET students, they requested help. The NEET exam is on June 21. Therefore, the Punjab government has decided to waive off the fare for all students appearing for the NEET exam on all Punjab Roadways buses on June 20, 21, and 22. Show your admit card, and you won't be charged for the ticket. May the Almighty grant you success," CM Mann wrote on X.
Meanwhile, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan chaired a high-level review meeting to assess preparations for the upcoming NEET-UG re-examination scheduled on June 21.
According to an official statement, Pradhan directed officials to ensure "complete integrity and transparency" in the conduct of the re-examination and stressed that all shortcomings identified in the earlier process must be comprehensively addressed.
The Minister instructed officials to conduct coordination meetings with District Magistrates and Superintendents of Police across states to ensure effective monitoring and strict security arrangements at examination centres.
Pradhan also directed authorities to make adequate arrangements for students, including transportation, drinking water and other essential facilities, while emphasising that vigilance and security should remain uncompromised.
As a corrective measure following the controversy, the Union Education Minister had earlier announced that NEET-UG would be conducted in computer-based test (CBT) mode from next year onward.
NEET-UG 2026, which was conducted on May 3 by the National Testing Agency (NTA), was cancelled on May 12 following allegations of a coordinated paper leak. The examination was held across 551 cities in India and 14 cities abroad at over 5,400 centres, with more than 22 lakh candidates appearing for the test.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Good initiative but honestly, the root problem is the repeated NEET paper leaks. Free bus travel is a band-aid. We need proper investigation and strict punishment for those who leaked the paper. Students deserve a fair exam without all this uncertainty.
Bhagwant Mann sahab is actually doing what he promised - helping common people. Free bus for 3 days, no questions asked, just show your admit card. This is real governance, not just photo-ops. 👏
While I appreciate the free bus travel, I'm more concerned about the paper leak. My cousin studied for two years and now has to reappear in June. The government should focus on making the exam process foolproof rather than just giving free rides. But yes, good for the poor students.
Ek exam ke liye itna drama... free bus, paper leak, re-exam, CBT mode from next year. Kya chal raha hai? Students are mentally exhausted. At least Punjab government is doing something concrete. Other states should also step up for their students. 🤔
Nice gesture by CM Mann. But what about students from other states? NEET is a national exam. The Union Education Minister should coordinate with all states to ensure similar facilities. Still, credit where due - Punjab is thinking about its students. 🙏
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