Ajmer NEET exam burqa entry dispute

On June 21 2026, during the NEET‑UG re‑exam in Ajmer, Rajasthan, 18‑year‑old candidate Kulsum Bano was initially denied entry to the examination centre because she was wearing a burqa and dupatta. Security personnel cited a dress‑code rule, while Bano and her father, Mohammad Aalim, invoked the National Testing Agency’s Rule 18, which permits religious attire with additional security checks.

After about an hour of protests by the student, her father and other candidates, the district collector Lok Bhandhu intervened. Following a private verification of the burqa, the centre staff allowed Bano to enter and sit for the exam. The incident sparked debate on the implementation of dress‑code guidelines for large‑scale entrance exams and the balance between security procedures and religious identity.

NTA later confirmed that candidates may wear religious garments provided they undergo appropriate screening, and police reported that the matter was resolved without further disruption to the examination.