NEET UG re-test 2026: NTA allots Abu Dhabi centre to Nagpur student
A Nagpur student was mistakenly allotted an Abu Dhabi examination centre for the NEET UG 2026 re-exam despite selecting centres in Maharashtra. The error sparked fresh criticism of the NTA, which later acknowledged a technical glitch and promised a revised admit card.
The National Testing Agency (NTA) will conduct the NEET UG 2026 re-examination on June 21. However, ahead of the exam, a fresh controversy has emerged.
In a reported case of mismanagement, Abdullah, a student from Nagpur, was allotted an examination centre in Abu Dhabi, UAE, for the upcoming NEET UG re-exam. The development has left the student and his family distressed, especially as only a day remains before the examination. Notably, Abdullah had been allotted a centre in Nagpur during the previous examination.
Later on, NTA Director General Abhishek Singh confirmed that the immediate issue had been resolved.
Speaking to India Today, Singh said the agency is now investigating how the candidate was assigned an examination centre in Abu Dhabi despite being based in Nagpur.
NAGPUR STUDENT ALLOTED ABU DHABI CENTRE
The incident has once again brought the NTA's administrative functioning under scrutiny. Abdullah had selected Nagpur, Wardha, and Bhandara as his preferred examination centres while filling out the application form. Despite listing these local preferences, he was assigned a centre in Abu Dhabi, thousands of kilometres away from his hometown.
The student's father, Mohammad Talib, told Aaj Tak that the family was shocked upon discovering the allotment. He said they had carefully selected centres in and around Nagpur while submitting the application, and could not understand how a foreign examination centre had been assigned instead.
Speaking to ANI, he said, "We were really shocked as we had not given anything as such in our options."
According to Talib, the family immediately contacted the NTA helpline and was advised to send an email. After doing so, they received a call assuring them that a fresh admit card would be issued by 4 pm on Saturday.
Talib said the family had selected three districts as their preferred centres and is now requesting that Nagpur be allotted since the student is deeply distressed. "There is no time to go to any other district," he said.
Recounting his son's reaction, Talib added, "He cried a lot yesterday and did not even want to write the exam. But his mother tried to convince him." He said the family was still trying to persuade Abdullah to appear for the test.
Highlighting the absurdity of the situation, Talib noted that his son "does not even have a passport," making it impossible for him to travel abroad for the examination.
The situation became even more challenging because the student does not possess a passport. Under such circumstances, it would have been virtually impossible for the family to complete passport and visa formalities and send him abroad to appear for the examination within such a short period.
Reacting to the incident, former Maharashtra minister and Congress leader Dr Anees Ahmed expressed strong displeasure and alleged that the NTA had made a mockery of the examination process. Speaking to Aaj Tak, he demanded that the agency immediately issue a revised admit card and rectify the error.
NTA ACKNOWLEDGES ERROR
Following the discovery of the mistake, the student's parents immediately contacted the NTA helpline and lodged a complaint. According to the family, NTA officials acknowledged that a technical glitch had occurred and assured them that corrective action would be taken.
However, despite the assurance, the student and his family have remained under considerable stress while awaiting an updated hall ticket.
Speaking to Aaj Tak over the phone, Dr Anees Ahmed said he personally raised the issue with the NTA and contacted the helpline on the student's behalf. According to him, after discussions late on Friday night, the student was informed that he would be allotted an examination centre in Nagpur and that a revised admit card would be issued by 4 PM on Saturday.
While the agency's assurance has provided some relief, the incident has once again sparked concerns over the robustness of the NTA's examination management systems, particularly at a time when the agency is facing heightened scrutiny over the conduct of national-level entrance examinations.
(With inputs from Yogesh Pande)
The National Testing Agency (NTA) will conduct the NEET UG 2026 re-examination on June 21. However, ahead of the exam, a fresh controversy has emerged.
In a reported case of mismanagement, Abdullah, a student from Nagpur, was allotted an examination centre in Abu Dhabi, UAE, for the upcoming NEET UG re-exam. The development has left the student and his family distressed, especially as only a day remains before the examination. Notably, Abdullah had been allotted a centre in Nagpur during the previous examination.
Later on, NTA Director General Abhishek Singh confirmed that the immediate issue had been resolved.
Speaking to India Today, Singh said the agency is now investigating how the candidate was assigned an examination centre in Abu Dhabi despite being based in Nagpur.
NAGPUR STUDENT ALLOTED ABU DHABI CENTRE
The incident has once again brought the NTA's administrative functioning under scrutiny. Abdullah had selected Nagpur, Wardha, and Bhandara as his preferred examination centres while filling out the application form. Despite listing these local preferences, he was assigned a centre in Abu Dhabi, thousands of kilometres away from his hometown.
The student's father, Mohammad Talib, told Aaj Tak that the family was shocked upon discovering the allotment. He said they had carefully selected centres in and around Nagpur while submitting the application, and could not understand how a foreign examination centre had been assigned instead.
Speaking to ANI, he said, "We were really shocked as we had not given anything as such in our options."
According to Talib, the family immediately contacted the NTA helpline and was advised to send an email. After doing so, they received a call assuring them that a fresh admit card would be issued by 4 pm on Saturday.
Talib said the family had selected three districts as their preferred centres and is now requesting that Nagpur be allotted since the student is deeply distressed. "There is no time to go to any other district," he said.
Recounting his son's reaction, Talib added, "He cried a lot yesterday and did not even want to write the exam. But his mother tried to convince him." He said the family was still trying to persuade Abdullah to appear for the test.
Highlighting the absurdity of the situation, Talib noted that his son "does not even have a passport," making it impossible for him to travel abroad for the examination.
The situation became even more challenging because the student does not possess a passport. Under such circumstances, it would have been virtually impossible for the family to complete passport and visa formalities and send him abroad to appear for the examination within such a short period.
Reacting to the incident, former Maharashtra minister and Congress leader Dr Anees Ahmed expressed strong displeasure and alleged that the NTA had made a mockery of the examination process. Speaking to Aaj Tak, he demanded that the agency immediately issue a revised admit card and rectify the error.
NTA ACKNOWLEDGES ERROR
Following the discovery of the mistake, the student's parents immediately contacted the NTA helpline and lodged a complaint. According to the family, NTA officials acknowledged that a technical glitch had occurred and assured them that corrective action would be taken.
However, despite the assurance, the student and his family have remained under considerable stress while awaiting an updated hall ticket.
Speaking to Aaj Tak over the phone, Dr Anees Ahmed said he personally raised the issue with the NTA and contacted the helpline on the student's behalf. According to him, after discussions late on Friday night, the student was informed that he would be allotted an examination centre in Nagpur and that a revised admit card would be issued by 4 PM on Saturday.
While the agency's assurance has provided some relief, the incident has once again sparked concerns over the robustness of the NTA's examination management systems, particularly at a time when the agency is facing heightened scrutiny over the conduct of national-level entrance examinations.
(With inputs from Yogesh Pande)
