NTA Clarifies Abu Dhabi Re-NEET 2026 Centre Row; Corrected Admit Card Issued to Maharashtra Candidate

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has clarified the situation regarding a candidate being assigned an exam center in Abu Dhabi for the Re-NEET UG 2026 examination, which is set for June 21. The issue received a lot of attention when reports came out that a student from Maharashtra was given an overseas exam center instead of one in India, even though he was eligible to take the exam locally. The controversy started when media reports said a student from Nagpur was sent an admit card with Abu Dhabi as the exam center. This raised concerns among students and parents because the exam was just a day away, and it would be nearly impossible to travel abroad so quickly. The student's family said the candidate didn’t plan to take the exam abroad and didn’t even have a passport. They were shocked when they found out about the overseas center on the admit card and immediately contacted the authorities for an explanation.

NTA’s Response

NTA explained that the Abu Dhabi center was assigned based on the information provided in the candidate’s application. They said the overseas option was selected through the candidate’s account and wasn’t randomly picked. The clarification came after social media and news outlets suggested there was a system error that led to the unusual assignment. NTA maintained that exam centers are chosen based on the choices entered during the application process and that the records showed the Abu Dhabi option was selected by the candidate during registration.

Earlier Reports Suggested a Technical Problem

Some initial reports described the issue as a possible technical glitch in the exam system. The situation gained a lot of attention because the assigned center was thousands of kilometers away from the candidate's home. Reports highlighted how difficult it would be for students to travel to such a faraway place, especially when preparing for a major national-level medical entrance exam. Some reports also mentioned that authorities were looking into the matter and considering steps to ensure the candidate could still take the exam.

Revised Admit Card Issued

Despite the confusion, officials assured the candidate that a new admit card would be issued. Subsequent updates showed that the student was given a corrected exam center, allowing him to take the Re-NEET UG 2026 exam without needing to travel abroad. The quick resolution prevented the candidate from missing the exam due to circumstances beyond his control.

Political Reactions 

The issue also attracted political attention. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi criticized the government, saying repeated problems with exams were affecting students and adding stress for those preparing for competitive tests. The incident has once again brought the functioning of national-level entrance exams under public scrutiny, with stakeholders calling for better safeguards to prevent errors and ensure transparency in the exam process.

Re-NEET UG 2026 Exam

The Re-NEET UG 2026 exam is scheduled for June 21 for candidates affected by issues during the earlier exam. NTA has advised all candidates to check their admit cards carefully and contact the agency immediately if there are any mistakes. With the exam just hours away, the agency has repeated its commitment to ensuring a smooth and fair process for all candidates across the country.