NEW DELHI: The National Testing Agency (NTA) has come under fresh scrutiny ahead of the NEET-UG re-examination scheduled for June 21, after reports claimed that a candidate from Nagpur was allotted an examination centre in Abu Dhabi because of an alleged technical glitch in the examination process.According to media reports, the candidate, identified as Abdullah Mohammad Talib from Nagpur, received an admit card showing Abu Dhabi Indian School in the UAE as his allotted examination centre for the re-test. The development has drawn attention as the examination is being conducted for candidates within India.Admit card reportedly shows overseas examination centreReports state that the candidate’s admit card clearly lists Abu Dhabi Indian School as the designated examination venue. Images of the admit card have also surfaced in media coverage, with on-ground reporting highlighting the unusual allotment.The reported allocation has triggered several practical questions. It remains unclear whether the candidate possesses a valid passport or whether any travel arrangements have been made. There is also uncertainty over who would bear the expenses if overseas travel became necessary to appear for the examination.Fresh questions over examination managementThe reported incident comes at a time when the NTA is already facing criticism over various aspects of the NEET examination process. Media reports have referred to delays, technical glitches and logistical issues that have affected candidates during different stages of the examination cycle.The latest development has added another point of concern, with the reported overseas centre allotment being described as an outcome of a technical error in the system.Family says admit card came as a shockSpeaking to ANI, the candidate’s father, Mohammad Talib, said the family discovered the overseas examination centre after downloading the admit card.He said they were “really shocked” because they had not selected any such option while submitting the application. According to him, the family contacted the NTA helpline and was advised to send an email regarding the issue. He added that they later received a call informing them that a fresh admit card would be issued by 4 pm on Saturday.Mohammad Talib further said they had selected three districts while filling in the application and requested that Nagpur be allotted as the examination centre. He said there was insufficient time to travel to another district before the examination.He also told ANI that his son was deeply distressed after seeing the admit card. According to him, the candidate “cried a lot” and initially did not want to appear for the examination, while his mother tried to encourage him to continue with the process. He added that his son does not possess a passport.NTA says grievance is being resolvedResponding to the matter, the NTA said the grievance was being addressed and that, following due verification, the candidate would be allotted an examination centre in Nagpur within the next few hours.The agency’s response indicates that the reported overseas centre allotment is being corrected before the re-examination.Re-test scheduled for June 21The NEET-UG re-examination is scheduled to be conducted on June 21. The reported case emerged a day before the examination and comes amid wider scrutiny of the examination process following reports of technical glitches and logistical issues affecting some candidates.
