National Testing Agency chief steps in after an administrative oversight assigned a Nagpur-based medical aspirant to an examination venue in the United Arab Emirates.

Last-minute relief for stressed aspirant

NEW DELHI: In a frantic race against the clock, the National Testing Agency (NTA) has rectified a major technical glitch that had mistakenly allotted an examination center in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, to a medical aspirant residing in Nagpur. The correction comes mere hours before the high-stakes National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET-UG) 2026 re-examination kicks off across the country.

Confirming the resolution on Saturday afternoon, NTA Director General Abhishek Singh stated that the administrative error has been fully resolved, and the candidate, Abdullah Mohammad Talib, has been re-allotted a local examination center within Nagpur city.

Technical glitch triggers sudden panic

The discrepancy came to light just two days before the scheduled June 21 pan-India test, leaving the aspirant’s family in deep distress. Speaking to reporters, the candidate’s father, Mohammad Talib, recounted downloading the admit card on Friday afternoon only to find a foreign school listed as the designated venue despite selecting regional choices.

Following an urgent escalation to the NTA national helpdesk and an exchange of verified emails, testing authorities processed a corrected hall ticket. Officials confirmed that ground-level intervention ensured the rectified document was generated and issued to the student by Saturday afternoon.

Strict security protocols for re-test

The logistical mix-up occurred against the backdrop of an unprecedented nationwide security mobilization. The medical entrance test is being re-conducted after the original May 3 examination was cancelled on May 12 due to confirmed question paper leaks and procedural systemic lapses.

NEET-UG 2026 Re-Exam Metrics:

┌──────────────────────────┬──────────────────────────┐

│ Parameter                │ Total Mobilisation       │

├──────────────────────────┼──────────────────────────┤

│ Total Candidates         │ Over 22.79 Lakh          │

│ National Exam Centres    │ More than 5,000          │

│ Domestic Cities Covered  │ 551                      │

│ Overseas Test Cities     │ 14                       │

└──────────────────────────┴──────────────────────────┘

To prevent a recurrence of past vulnerabilities, the NTA executed a comprehensive nationwide mock drill on Saturday morning. In initial reports from city coordinators, transit vehicles transporting confidential test material have been fitted with active GPS tracking units and are moving under direct police escorts.

States roll out candidate transit support

Local authorities across various states have deployed special emergency measures to facilitate smooth transit for the 2.2 million participating students on Sunday.

• Delhi: Free travel for candidates on all DTC and cluster buses, alongside dedicated cooling zones for parents outside venues.

• Maharashtra: Full-schedule operations of all 1,820 Mumbai local trains with an absolute ban on maintenance blocks.

• Madhya Pradesh & Telangana: Special exam-centric train routes and complimentary state transport bus services upon showing hall tickets.

Clarification issued on admit cards

Amidst growing confusion on digital platforms, the testing agency issued a critical clarification regarding documentation. Candidates who have already downloaded their freshly updated June 21 admit cards do not need to print them again.

Officials emphasized that all admit cards issued during the aborted May 3 cycle stand completely invalidated. This is primarily because thousands of students have been reassigned to brand-new testing venues to meet local security protocols and personal city preferences.

Cyber cells track digital rumors

The pen-and-paper exam is scheduled to run from 2:00 PM to 5:15 PM on Sunday under continuous centralized CCTV monitoring. In a final advisory, the NTA urged students to remain calm, follow the designated dress-code guidelines for early frisking, and completely disregard speculative social media channels. The agency confirmed that federal cybercrime cells are actively monitoring digital handles to penalize any entities spreading fraudulent paper-leak rumors.

NEET Exam Cancelled After Paper Leak: Bihar Solver Gang Bust Raises Fresh Concerns

The National Testing Agency (NTA) on Tuesday cancelled the NEET-UG 2026 examination conducted on May 3, citing serious irregularities including a suspected paper leak and organised cheating networks. A fresh examination will be held on a date to be announced soon after receiving government approval. 

The decision comes amid mounting evidence of leaks and the exposure of a sophisticated “paper solver” gang in Bihar that allegedly charged up to ₹60 lakh to help candidates secure seats.

Midnight vehicle check exposes network

On the night of May 2, police in Nalanda district’s Pawapuri police station intercepted two luxury SUVs — a Scorpio-N and a Brezza — during routine checking. Three persons were detained, including Awadhesh Kumar, an MBBS student of VIMS Medical College. Examination of his mobile phone yielded critical leads that unravelled a larger organised gang. 

Within days, Nalanda police arrested seven members. Further raids based on the primary accused’s identification were carried out in Muzaffarpur, Aurangabad, Jamui and other districts, leading to the arrest of four more individuals. All arrested persons have been sent to judicial custody. 

₹50-60 lakh deal for solvers

Investigations revealed the gang operated on a high-stakes model. It allegedly charged candidates between ₹50 lakh and ₹60 lakh per seat. An advance of ₹1.5 to 2 lakh was collected upfront, after which arrangements were made to replace the genuine candidate with a “solver” at the examination centre. 

Key operatives reportedly included Ujjwal Raj alias Raja Babu, Awadhesh Kumar and Aman Kumar Singh. Among those arrested later were Harshraj, son of a doctor from Sitamarhi, Manoj Kumar from Muzaffarpur, Gaurav Kumar from Bochahan, and Subhash Kumar from the Hathauri area. Police also recovered mobile phones and identity documents of several candidates. 

Rajasthan paper leak trail

Parallel to the Bihar arrests, disturbing details emerged from Rajasthan. Handwritten “guess papers” containing questions that closely matched the actual NEET paper were found with students in Sikar and surrounding areas. The Rajasthan Special Operations Group (SOG) arrested 13 suspects, including a career counsellor linked to a Sikar coaching institute, from Dehradun, Sikar and Jhunjhunu. 

Reports indicate that questions worth around 600 out of 720 marks had reached some students two days before the exam. A significant portion of these handwritten questions — reportedly over 150 — matched the final paper. Investigators are examining whether this constitutes a full paper leak or a sophisticated guess-paper operation circulated through social media and personal networks. 

NTA cites fairness concerns

According to the NTA, preliminary inputs from central agencies on May 8 prompted deeper scrutiny. After assessing the findings and obtaining necessary approvals, the agency decided to cancel the May 3 exam to protect the sanctity of the process. 

Students will not be required to register afresh. Existing application details, including exam centres, will remain valid. Fresh admit cards will be issued and the examination fee paid by candidates will be refunded.

Repeat of past controversies

The development echoes the 2024 NEET controversy when paper leak allegations surfaced from Bihar’s Patna and Jharkhand’s Hazaribagh. While the Supreme Court did not cancel the entire exam that year, a limited re-test was ordered for affected candidates. This time, the scale of reported irregularities and the involvement of an MBBS student in the solver gang have forced a complete cancellation. 

Impact on lakhs of aspirants

For over 20 lakh students who appeared for the exam, the cancellation means months of additional preparation under uncertainty. Many had travelled to distant centres and invested significant time and money. Coaching institutes and parents have expressed concern over the repeated disruptions to what remains India’s biggest medical entrance test. 

Police in Nalanda said raids are continuing to nab absconding members of the solver gang. Central agencies are meanwhile working to trace the full chain in the Rajasthan case, including possible links between coaching hubs and question paper handlers. 

The fresh NEET exam is expected to be conducted under tighter security protocols, though the exact schedule is awaited. For now, the focus remains on restoring credibility to a process that determines the future of India’s next generation of doctors. 

NEET UG 2026: Rewa readies 12 centres amid tight security

District gears up for May 3 medical entrance test with anti-cheating focus and on-ground inspections to ensure fair play.

Rewa administration has swung into action for the NEET UG 2026 exam scheduled for May 3, setting up 12 centres across the district. Officials are leaving no stone unturned to conduct the high-stakes medical entrance test smoothly and without incidents of malpractice.

Collector Narendra Kumar Suryavanshi and Superintendent of Police Shailendra Singh Chauhan carried out inspections at several centres on Thursday. They checked facilities on the ground and issued directions to centre heads.

Anti-cheating drive intensifies

Authorities have ramped up surveillance to curb cheating, a persistent concern in such exams. Adequate police personnel will be deployed at all 12 centres, keeping a close watch on security arrangements.

Initial reports indicate jammers and CCTV cameras will be in place to prevent any electronic malpractice. Additional District Collector Sapna Tripathi joined the inspection rounds, ensuring comprehensive coverage.

Local sources said the measures stem from past incidents where leaks and unfair practices marred similar tests. "We are in full alert mode," one official remarked during the visit.

Facilities get thorough check

The collector stressed that examinees should face no hassles. He directed centre in-charges to maintain drinking water, toilets, seating, electricity, and other essentials in top order.

Inspections covered morning hours, with teams moving from one site to another. Centre supervisors reported ongoing preparations, including biometric checks and document verification protocols.

Students have been urged to arrive early, carry admit cards and required IDs, and follow rules strictly. This comes as thousands of aspirants from Rewa and nearby areas gear up for the single-day showdown.

Why Rewa matters for NEET

Rewa, in Madhya Pradesh's Vindhya region, hosts a significant number of NEET candidates every year. The district's 12 centres cater to local talent aiming for medical and dental seats across India.

Background checks show NEET UG remains the gateway to over 1 lakh MBBS and BDS seats nationwide. With competition fiercer than ever—lakhs appearing for limited spots—fairness is paramount.

Past years saw disruptions in MP districts due to paper leaks, prompting stricter national guidelines this time around.

Public appeal for cooperation

Administration sources familiar with the matter said coordination with local bodies is underway. Traffic management around centres and quick-response teams are also on standby.

Examinees and parents have welcomed the proactive steps. "It's reassuring to see such vigilance," a local coaching centre owner noted, speaking on condition of anonymity.

The district magistrate reiterated that any violation will invite strict action under exam laws.

What's next on May 3

Come Saturday, gates will likely open early morning, with exams running through the day. Post-exam, answer keys and results timelines will follow National Testing Agency protocols.

For now, Rewa stays focused on pulling off a glitch-free NEET UG 2026. Officials expect full compliance from all sides, setting the stage for aspiring doctors to compete on merit.