Nagpur: Parents accompanying candidates for the NEET-UG 2026 re-test on Sunday alleged severe inconvenience outside several examination centres across the city, claiming they were forced to wait for hours in the scorching heat without access to drinking water, seating, shaded waiting areas or other basic amenities.Several parents said they reached exam centres by 10am and remained outside until nearly 5pm. The complaints came despite the National Testing Agency (NTA) issuing advisories directing centres to make adequate arrangements for both candidates and accompanying guardians.At centres including DNC, Shivaji Science College, Kendriya Vidyalaya, Ajni, and SFS College, TOI found parents seeking refuge wherever they could — under trees, at bus stops, on footpaths, in parking areas and even atop mounds of construction debris to escape the afternoon heat.At Kendriya Vidyalaya, Ajni, parents said there were no designated waiting areas, seating facilities or drinking water arrangements.A parent who travelled from Chandrapur alleged that no facilities had been provided for accompanying family members. Yogesh Godekar, who travelled from Umred, expressed frustration over the situation. “There is no place to wait. We have to stand on the road and footpath for hours,” he said.“There is no shed, seating arrangement or drinking water for parents. During the last NEET conducted in May, some arrangements had been made. This time, nothing has been provided,” said a guardian waiting outside a centre.Parents from Kamptee said they spent nearly ₹4,000 on travel and related expenses to bring their children to the examination centre, only to encounter such difficulties.Ramesh Jame, another guardian, pointed out that families from rural areas start their journey at 7am or 8am to reach exam centres by 11am. The examination ends only in the evening, yet there is not even a basic shelter or proper seating arrangement for parents.Candidates Manthan Kambhle and Aditya Makde, who travelled nearly two hours from Mauda, said they remained focused on their future goals despite the inconvenience faced by their families.Uday Kamle, a parent, said the stress caused by examination-related controversies extends beyond students and affects entire families. “As parents, we watch our children sacrifice sleep, social life and peace of mind to prepare for examinations like NEET. When incidents such as paper leaks and irregularities come to light, families feel anxious and helpless. We don’t mind standing in the sun, but our children must not suffer,” he said.(Reporting by Tanishka Ghughuskar, Ketki Deoghare, Vansh Jain, Anika Jhawar and Bhavyea S Badjatte)
