NEET and the NRI aspirant

I am writing this letter not only as a NEET UG 2026 candidate but also as an Indian student currently residing in the United Kingdom who travelled internationally to appear for this examination, only to watch it collapse because of failures entirely outside the control of students. I had secured opportunities to study medicine at reputed European universities. Despite that, I chose to defer those opportunities because I wanted to pursue medicine through India’s system. To do this, I travelled to India at considerable personal and financial cost as there are no NEET centres in the U.K. This journey took place during a period of heightened anxiety surrounding international movement. For months, I studied relentlessly, often for 16 hours a day. What makes this issue even more important is the current NMC regulation requiring NEET qualification even for foreign medical admissions. Students abroad are legally compelled to depend on an examination system that has repeatedly faced allegations of compromise and cancellation. We have no alternative route despite having opportunities elsewhere. I believe this perspective deserves national attention because the burden on overseas Indian students has largely gone unreported.

Vedika Rai,

Buckinghamshire, U.K.

Austerity appeal

The Prime Minister’s call to reduce fossil fuel use — though somewhat belated — can help develop pathways to cut greenhouse gas emissions from petrol and diesel vehicles used for short-distance commuting. Walking and cycling have largely been forgotten in Indian cities, mainly due to the lack of proper footpaths and cycling lanes. The Centre should allocate special funds for developing such infrastructure. Since political parties understand the reasons behind the appeal, they are unlikely to gain much mileage by politicising the issue.

A. Venkatasubramanian,

Tiruchi, Tamil Nadu