The Indian Railways’ initiative to assist students appearing for the NEET (UG) 2026 re-test has drawn sharp criticism after a major scheduling oversight. While special trains have been deployed in Madhya Pradesh to handle the student rush, the scheduled return journey departs before the examination even takes place.
The Scheduling Paradox
Lakhs of students across India are gearing up for the high-stakes medical entrance re-test on Sunday, following the cancellation of the May 3 exam due to paper leak allegations. To facilitate travel, the Railways introduced an Indore-Bhopal special train.
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The Onward Journey: The train leaves Indore at 11:25 AM on Saturday, reaching Bhopal at 7:00 PM.
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The Catch: The return leg is scheduled to leave Bhopal at 7:40 PM on the same day (Saturday)—arriving in Ratlam five hours later.
Because the actual exam is scheduled for Sunday from 2:00 PM to 5:15 PM, candidates will be left with no special rail arrangements to return home once the test concludes. When questioned about the logic behind this timeline, railway officials stated that the Ratlam Division operated the routes strictly based on coach availability.
Premium Fares for Suboptimal Planning
Adding to the stress of the aspirants is the steep pricing of the special service. Passengers are being charged inflated rates compared to regular express trains on the same route:
| Train Service | Sleeper Class Fare (Indore to Bhopal) |
| NEET Special Train | ₹350 |
| Jodhpur-Bhopal Express | ₹150 |
| Malwa Express | ₹180 |
Furthermore, a flat-rate policy is being enforced. Students boarding from intermediate stations—such as Ujjain, Sehore, Ratlam, or Nagda—are still being forced to pay the full ₹350 fare, more than double the standard rate. The return ticket from Bhopal to Ratlam is priced at a minimum of ₹295.
Gaps in Connectivity and Falling Attendance
The special train route fails to accommodate several key regions in Madhya Pradesh. Candidates from towns like Neemuch, Mandsaur, Jaora, Pipliya Mandi, and Malhargarh have no direct special train access to major exam centers like Bhopal, forcing families to rely on complex connecting routes, buses, or expensive private transport.
Anxiety on the Ground: Parents and students at Indore and Ratlam stations expressed immense stress. For these candidates, the re-exam is a grueling second chance forced by administrative lapses, and the chaotic travel logistics have only compounded their anxiety.
Amid the logistical hurdles and the trauma of the initial cancellation, student turnout has taken a hit. In Bhopal alone, the number of registered candidates has dropped from 14,334 to 13,774—a decline of 560 students—leading authorities to reduce the number of exam centers from 33 to 32.
