New Delhi, April 24 -- The National Medical Commission (NMC) has advised all medical colleges not to grant leave to students on May 2 and 3, barring "exceptional circumstances with due justification," as a preventive step to avoid any misuse and ensure the integrity of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (Undergraduate), or NEET-UG 2026, scheduled for May 3.

The advisory follows a direction from the Department of Higher Education (DoHE) under the Union Ministry of Education.

On April 20, DoHE secretary Vineet Joshi wrote to Union health ministry secretary Punya Salila Srivastava, urging vigilance and sensitisation of students against any involvement in malpractices. He also recommended denying leave on May 2-3 except in justified...