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New Delhi: To prevent paper leaks in NEET-UG, the Center is actively exploring the use of IAF aircraft to transport question papers for the June 21 re-examination, as part of a comprehensive “whole of government” security strategy involving the Home Ministry, central agencies and state police networks, reports Manas Gohain.The proposal was discussed at a high-level meeting on Thursday led by Defense Minister Rajnath Singh and attended by Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, senior PMO officials, NTA DG Abhishek Singh and top bureaucrats from several ministries. According to Education Ministry sources, the government is considering deploying the Indian Air Force only for transport logistics “due to time constraints and does not want to take any risks this time”.Sources stressed that no final decision has been taken yet and the proposal will be placed before PM Narendra Modi before any formal approval.However, the move acknowledges the ever-evolving tactics used by those determined to leak entrance exam papers for prestigious seats in medical colleges and the importance of the government to ensure the integrity of the upcoming NEET. “The approach this time is that each vulnerable point in the examination chain should be secured with maximum redundancies and supervision. The government is leaving no stone unturned,” a source said.Sources said that if the Indian Air Force’s plan is implemented, its aircraft will deliver exam papers for the upcoming NEET to select locations in the state, such as Lucknow, Agra and Gorakhpur and Varanasi in UP; Patna and Darbhanga in Bihar; Kolkata and Bagdogra in Bengal. From then on, state agencies will handle the work of delivering the papers to the districts and keeping them in safe custody and transporting them to the examination centres. At present, the delivery of papers is done by the Department of Posts.Officials said the meeting took a detailed review of the entire examination cycle – from the panel of paper setters and printing protocols to the transport routes, storage facilities, distribution network and last-mile security arrangements at the examination centres.Apart from exploring the use of the Indian Air Force, deeper coordination with the Home Ministry and state home departments for safe movement and monitoring of question papers was also discussed. Sources said the district administration and police units are likely to be more closely integrated into the transportation and custody chain.The Prime Minister is understood to be personally monitoring preparations for the June 21 re-examination and is being regularly briefed on operational and security measures related to the examination process, officials said. NEET-UG 2026 was canceled on May 12 following allegations of question paper leak. CBI has arrested 13 people from different cities.