New Delhi, May 3 -- With the high-stakes NEET-UG 2025 examination scheduled for May 4, a three-tier monitoring mechanism--at the district, state, and centre levels--has been put in place to ensure the exam is conducted in a free, fair, and secure manner, sources at the Education Ministry said.

Candidates found resorting to unfair means will face up to three years of debarment from NTA exams, in addition to criminal action under the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, said sources added.

Over 22.7 lakh candidates will appear for the examination across 5453 centres in more than 500 cities, making it one of India's largest national-level entrance tests.

Most exam venues this year are located in government and gover...