NTA Blunder: Nagpur NEET Candidate Allotted Abu Dhabi Exam Centre

New Delhi (IANS): A major National Testing Agency (NTA) administrative lapse has triggered panic just a day before the Re-NEET UG 2026 examination. In a shocking mix-up, the apex testing body issued an admit card to a candidate from Nagpur, Maharashtra, allotting him an examination centre in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The blunder has distressed the candidate and his family ahead of the June 21 re-examination. According to the family, the student, Abdullah, had selected Nagpur, Wardha, and Bhandara as his preferred test cities during the application process. Instead, his admit card ordered him to report to the UAE.

“My Son is in Shock”

The candidate’s father, Mohammad Talib, expressed absolute disbelief over the foreign allocation. “I don’t know how this has happened. Only the agency can explain it now. We had selected three preferred examination centres, but I don’t understand why they want us to go to Abu Dhabi,” Talib said.

He clarified that his son, Abdullah, faced no such issues during the previous NEET attempt, where the NTA successfully allotted him a local Nagpur centre.

“In the previous NEET exam, he got a centre in Nagpur. His paper went very well. There was no mistake from our side while choosing the centres… We never requested any centre outside India,” the father added.

The administrative oversight has taken a severe emotional toll on the young medical aspirant. “After hearing about the Abu Dhabi centre, my son went into shock. He is currently sleeping after taking medication. Whenever we try to talk to him, he breaks down and starts crying,” Talib revealed.

NTA Blames Technical Glitch

NTA officials have since acknowledged the error, contacting the family to admit that a technical glitch on their end caused the mix-up. The agency assured the family that they would provide an update by 4:00 PM today.

Despite the intense psychological distress, the family’s sole focus remains on saving Abdullah’s academic year. “We only want our son to be able to appear for the exam. Whatever the result may be, that is secondary,” Talib said.