NEET-PG Candidates Report Technical Glitches and Biometric Failures During Exam

Medical professionals appearing for the NEET-PG examination on August 30 experienced severe technical and administrative disruptions across multiple centres in the country. Candidates reported issues ranging from malfunctioning computers and power cuts to repeated failures in biometric authentication involving thumbprint and iris scans.

The technical problems began before the test commenced and persisted during the examination. Several candidates noted that computers stopped midway, screens shut down, and systems rebooted. In instances where systems restarted, candidates reported having to re-enter answers they had already marked. Additionally, power cuts were reported at multiple centres nationwide, while others experienced delays of 20 to 25 minutes due to computers failing to open on time.

Biometric verification proved to be a major hurdle for several aspirants. An MBBS doctor from Uttar Pradesh stated that he reached his centre at 8 am, an hour before the scheduled start, but failed fingerprint and iris authentication. Officials eventually initiated a bypass process through the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS), allowing him to begin his paper around 9:20 am after other candidates had already started.

The candidate described facing considerable mental pressure due to the delay, noting that although additional time was allocated, the situation forced him into panic mode. Technical issues continued for him during the test as his screen shut down two to three times. After being moved to another system, he encountered a dim display with lines that affected his ability to read X-ray images, leading him to estimate that five or six questions were negatively impacted.

Other aspirants shared similar experiences. A doctor from Delhi reporting from a Noida centre stated that old computers stopped working midway and mice failed to function properly. Meanwhile, a candidate from Rajasthan alleged that officials initially dismissed concerns regarding fingerprint authentication before asking them to wait and retry.

Dr. Harshad Sharma, an IMA state executive member from Rajasthan, pointed out that examination centres should ensure fully functional computers, adequate cooling, uninterrupted power supply, and smooth biometric verification. He noted that despite authorities conducting trial runs prior to such examinations, numerous complaints were received from candidates nationwide following the Sunday test.

"Operational failures in high-stakes national examinations highlight significant gaps in technological infrastructure and execution readiness. For organizations managing large-scale assessments, system reliability, thorough pre-test stress testing, and robust contingency planning are critical. Technical glitches not only disrupt operational integrity but also place immense psychological pressure on candidates who invest substantial time and effort into their preparation. Ensuring seamless execution and reliable backup systems must remain a top priority for exam administrators to maintain credibility and fairness." — Dr. Shishir Gupta, Founder & CEO, StartupLanes