Prime Minister Narendra Modi waited at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International (IGI) airport for approximately 45 minutes on Sunday, delaying his return home to ensure that candidates appearing for the NEET-UG 2026 re-examination faced no inconvenience due to traffic restrictions. The Prime Minister arrived from Kolkata at around 1:15 PM but chose to remain at the airport until after the exam commenced at 2 PM, according to sources.
Decision to Wait at Airport
Sources said that after landing at IGI airport, Modi decided not to leave immediately for his residence at Lok Kalyan Marg. Instead, he waited to avoid any traffic disruptions that could affect students traveling to their examination centers. The exam was scheduled from 2:00 PM to 5:15 PM, and the Prime Minister's convoy would have required road closures, potentially causing delays for NEET candidates.
Context of the Trip
Modi was returning from a two-day visit to Odisha and West Bengal. During the trip, he participated in the 12th International Day of Yoga celebrations in Kolkata on Sunday, among other events. The delay at the airport was a voluntary measure to prioritize student convenience.
The National Testing Agency (NTA) conducted the NEET-UG 2026 re-examination on Sunday across 5,440 centers in 551 cities in India and 14 centers abroad. The original exam was scheduled for May 3 but was canceled due to an alleged leak of question papers.
Impact on Students and Traffic
By waiting, Modi ensured that traffic movement remained unaffected during the critical period before the exam. The gesture was aimed at preventing any last-minute hurdles for the thousands of students appearing for the medical entrance test. The re-exam is crucial for admission into undergraduate medical courses in colleges across India.
Sources emphasized that the Prime Minister's decision was entirely voluntary and reflected his sensitivity to the needs of students. The move has been widely appreciated on social media, with many praising the Prime Minister for his considerate action.
