New Delhi/IBNS: The National Testing Agency (NTA) has issued a clarification regarding the controversy surrounding a Nagpur-based candidate who was allotted an examination centre in Abu Dhabi for the NEET UG 2026 re-test.
The agency said its records indicate that the overseas centre was selected through the candidate’s own registered login during the examination-city correction window.
The statement comes after questions were raised over the allotment process when the admit card of NEET aspirant Abdullah Mohammad Talib displayed Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE), as his examination centre for the June 21 re-examination.
NTA explains how the centre was selected
According to the NTA, the examination-city correction window was reopened after the NEET (UG) 2026 examination was rescheduled for June 21.
The agency said the facility was provided to allow candidates to revise their preferred examination cities.
Highlighting the scale of the process, the NTA stated, “Around 3.2 lakh candidates used the correction window, and NTA allotted the preferred examination city to over 99.5% of them.”
Addressing the Nagpur candidate’s case specifically, the agency said its digital records showed that the city change request originated from the candidate’s own account.
“NTA’s web-activity records indicate that the city change in this case was made through the candidate’s own registered login during the open correction window, with a consistent single-user access pattern,” the statement said.
Reference the issue with regard to allotment of a centre in Abu Dhabi to a candidate in Nagpur, NTA would like to state the following:
Following the rescheduling of NEET (UG) 2026 to 21 June, the National Testing Agency reopened the examination-city correction window to assist…
— National Testing Agency (@NTA_Exams) June 20, 2026
NTA detects 3 activities from the account
The NTA said it identified multiple actions linked to the candidate’s account that pointed to the Abu Dhabi centre selection.
According to the agency, “NTA has observed that on three occasions, one – the centre was changed to Abu Dhabi using the candidate’s credentials, and twice it was previewed that the centre is Abu Dhabi.”
The agency’s clarification challenges earlier claims that the candidate had only selected examination cities within Maharashtra, including Nagpur, Wardha and Bhandara.
Last-minute request for centre change
The NTA further stated that it received a request from the candidate’s side on the evening of June 19, less than 48 hours before the scheduled examination, asking for the centre to be shifted from Abu Dhabi to Nagpur.
“Despite the Abu Dhabi centre being chosen by the candidate, the NTA received an informal request on the evening of June 19 (just 48 hours before the exam) to change the centre to Nagpur. NTA personnel immediately initiated the change and contacted the candidate’s father on 19th evening itself to help them complete the formal process,” the agency said.
Following the request, the NTA approved the change and reassigned the examination centre.
‘No candidate should miss exam’
The agency said it acted swiftly to ensure that the candidate would not face difficulties appearing for the examination.
Describing its response, the NTA stated, “The NTA’s priority is that no candidate misses the examination over an administrative doubt.”
The clarification comes a day before the Re-NEET UG 2026 examination, which is scheduled to be conducted on June 21 in pen-and-paper mode.
Controversy over allotment process
The issue gained widespread attention after reports emerged that Abdullah Mohammad Talib had been allotted a centre in Abu Dhabi despite residing in Nagpur and allegedly opting for examination cities within Maharashtra.
The case prompted concerns about the examination-centre allocation process and led to scrutiny of the NTA’s systems.
With its latest statement, the agency has maintained that the Abu Dhabi centre was selected through the candidate’s registered account and that the matter was resolved after a subsequent request for a change of venue.
The NEET UG 2026 re-examination will be held on June 21 from 2 pm to 5:15 pm, with candidates required to report to their allotted centres carrying their admit cards and prescribed documents.
