Jaipur, Aug. 31 -- A power failure at the iON Digital Zone in Sitapura disrupted the NEET-PG 2026 examination on Sunday, repeatedly shutting down computer systems and prompting hundreds of candidates to protest outside the facility, officials said. The National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) later announced a re-examination for the affected candidates. The decision was taken after Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), the agency conducting the examination, informed NBEMS about the technical problem. A total of 24,00 candidates were appearing for the computer-based examination at the two centres. Candidates alleged that the test was interrupted as many as 10 times within two hours because of repeated power outages and technical glitches. The examination was scheduled from 9 am to 12.30 pm. According to the candidates, the test resumed around 10 am following the initial disruption, but several computers continued to malfunction. Some candidates claimed that only three or four questions appeared after their systems restarted, while others said their computers shut down after displaying five or six questions. They alleged that the centre staff neither explained the technical problems nor clarified how the time lost because of the interruptions would be compensated. Hundreds of candidates staged a protest outside the centre after the examination. They raised concerns about the fairness and confidentiality of the test, claiming that different questions appeared on their screens after the computers restarted. The candidates demanded an impartial investigation and said a fresh examination should be held if the inquiry found that the fairness or confidentiality of the test had been compromised. Some protesters also alleged that police personnel threatened them with legal action if they continued their demonstration. Police have not yet responded to the allegation. NEET-PG 2026 was held at 15 centres in Jaipur, where 8,370 candidates were scheduled to appear. NBEMS said candidates who could not complete the examination at the iON Digital Zone centres bearing TC numbers 41682 and 41683 would be given another opportunity. The board attributed the disruption to an "internal power supply issue" and apologised to the affected candidates. The re-examination will be conducted in Jaipur at 3 pm on September 5. Details of the venues will be announced separately, and revised admit cards will be issued to the candidates concerned. According to NBEMS, 2,73,096 candidates had registered for NEET-PG 2026 at 1,111 centres across the country. The incident also triggered a political row, with Congress leaders accusing the BJP-led government of failing to ensure the smooth conduct of examinations. Leader of the Opposition Tikaram Jully said the disruption exposed what he described as the failure of the examination system. "In Modi's 'Digital India', even the examination server does not work, but the machinery of empty claims and propaganda runs round the clock," Julie said. He alleged that the candidates were made to wait for hours before being asked to leave and given a later date for the examination. "This is not merely a technical glitch but a shameful failure of the examination system and complete insensitivity towards the future of students," he said, asking whether the candidates' months of preparation, their families' expectations and the mental pressure had no value for the government. AICC general secretary Sachin Pilot also questioned when accountability would be fixed for repeated failures in the conduct of examinations. Rajasthan Finance Commission chairman Arun Chaturvedi, however, said the examination had been affected by a technical problem and welcomed the decision to hold a re-test....