An IAF helicopter carrying sealed NEET-UG retest question paper packets at the Armed Reserve Police Ground in Tirunelveli district, Tamil Nadu, on Wednesday. PTI

Indian Air Force (IAF) has carried out nearly 200 sorties over the past three-four days to ferry question papers for the June 21 NEET-UG retest to 18 designated zones across the country. The mission — launched on June 13 — is nearing completion ahead of the medical entrance exam.IAF’s Mi-17 helicopters and transport aircraft were pressed into service to deliver sealed question papers to their respective destinations.The aircraft have already logged around 200 sorties since the operation began, ensuring secure and timely dispatch to hubs nationwide. From these hubs, the question papers will be transported to different exam centres under tight security arrangements, sources said.“The use of IAF aircraft is aimed at guaranteeing foolproof, time-bound delivery,” an official said.The May 3 NEET-UG exam — the single-largest competitive test in the country with over 22 lakh candidates — was rocked by allegations of paper leaks and irregularities, leading to its cancellation and triggering nationwide protests and Supreme Court intervention.Officials maintain the July 21 retest will be conducted “smoothly and without any irregularities”. With lakhs of medical aspirants and their futures riding on the outcome, the govt appears determined to leave nothing to chance this time, deploying the armed forces to safeguard the sanctity of one of India’s largest exams.