- Burqa-clad student Kulsum Bano denied NEET re-exam entry in Ajmer.
- Student asserted NTA permission, previously wore burqa for exam.
- Authorities clarified rule ambiguity, student later allowed to appear.
NEET UG Re-Exam 2026: As more than 22 lakh aspirants across the country appeared for the NEET-UG 2026 examination today, Sunday, June 21, a major controversy erupted at a testing centre in Rajasthan. A student in Ajmer was allegedly barred from entering the examination centre for wearing a burqa.
Speaking to news agency ANI, she said, "If the NTA has permitted us, these people cannot stop us."
#WATCH | Ajmer, Rajasthan: A Burqa-wearing candidate was allegedly denied entry at a medical entrance exam centre ahead of the NEET examination today.
— ANI (@ANI) June 21, 2026
A candidate, named Kulsum Bano, says, "I have come from Beawar to take the NEET exam. When I took the exam on May 3rd, I was in… pic.twitter.com/3TVNnYk52n
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NEET Aspirant Allegedly Denied Entry
The NEET aspirant, identified as Kulsum Bano, was stopped from entering her examination centre in Ajmer for wearing a burqa. Bano, who travelled from Beawar to take the medical entrance test, stated that she had worn the same attire during the previous exam on May 3.
"I have come from Beawar to take the NEET exam. When I took the exam on May 3, I was in the same attire then as I am now: wearing a burqa and a dupatta," Bano told ANI.
According to Bano, officials initially asked her to remove her dupatta, but later insisted that she remove her burqa as well before entering.
"If the NTA has permitted us, then these people can't stop us," Bano said, adding, "If I am to take the exam and they don't allow me in this attire, then I simply won't take it…It is shameful that they are messing with 18-year-olds like this."
She further stated, "The exam doesn't matter to me; what matters is my 'burqa' and my identity."
Bano's father said that his daughter had previously appeared for the May 3 examination wearing a burqa.
"My daughter took the exam on May 3rd, and she took it while wearing the burqa. Rule 18 states that you are permitted to attend while wearing your religious attire... We told them to call a female staff member to conduct a thorough check and have the burqa removed in a private area behind a screen, but they refused," he was quoted as saying.
NTA And Police Clarify
In response, the National Testing Agency (NTA) stated that the student was allowed to enter and appear for the re-examination.
Addressing the complaints raised by the student and her father, Ajmer CO North Shivam Joshi said the dispute had occurred due to a 'lack of clarity regarding certain rules'. He added that the matter was settled after clarification was received from senior officials.
"Apart from this, there are no disputes at the examination centre, and all students have been admitted peacefully," he further said.
(With Inputs From Agencies)