While 2,222 students had applied for the NEET re-examination held here on Sunday at six centers in Ramanathapuram district, 658 candidates did not show up to write the exam.

The NEET for medical courses for the academic year 2026-27 was held across the country last month on May 3.

Following allegations of a question paper leak in the exam, which was investigated and confirmed, the Union Government announced the cancellation of the NEET.

In Ramanathapuram district, a total of 2,222 students had received permission for the NEET at exam centers.

Exams are held in Ramanathapuram Sethupathy Government Arts and Science College, Ramanathapuram Government Arts and Science College for Women, Paramakudi Government Arts and Science College, Paramakudi Government Women’s College, Mudukulathur Government Arts College, and the Kendriya Vidyalaya School in Mandapam. Out of these, 1,564 candidates participated in the exam.

Students started arriving at the examination centers as early as 10 AM. They were allowed to write the exam only after their hall tickets were verified.

The examination commenced at 2 PM. Earlier, as usual, students appearing for the exam were banned from wearing items such as hair clips, jewellery, watches, and belts.

In Sivaganga district, of the 1,873 candidates who were allotted, 1,374 appeared and 499 were absent.

NEET was conducted in four centres - Sivaganga Government Arts College for Women, Alagappa Government Polytechnic College, Karaikudi, Kendriya Vidyalaya, Karaikudi and Raja Duraisingam Government Arts College, Sivaganga - in the district.