NEET-UG Retest Row: Nagpur Student Shocked After Abu Dhabi Exam Centre Allotment

• WhatsApp
• YouTube
• X
• Instagram

A routine download of an examination admit card turned into a moment of disbelief for a Nagpur family after they discovered that the examination centre allotted to their son for the upcoming NEET-UG retest was located not in Maharashtra, but in Abu Dhabi.

The incident has sparked concern among students and parents over examination centre allocation processes, especially at a time when candidates are already dealing with the pressure and uncertainty surrounding one of India’s most competitive entrance examinations.

Abdullah Mohammad Talib, a NEET aspirant from Nagpur, is scheduled to appear for the NEET-UG re-examination on June 21. According to his family, everything seemed normal until they downloaded his fresh admit card on Friday evening. What they found left them stunned.

Speaking about the development, Abdullah’s father, Mohammad Talib, said the family was shocked to see that the assigned examination centre was a school in Abu Dhabi. He maintained that neither he nor his son had selected any overseas examination centre during the application process.

“Yesterday evening at around 4 p.m., when we downloaded the admit card, we saw that the centre was a school in Abu Dhabi. We were completely surprised because we had never selected such an option,” Mohammad Talib said.

The family immediately contacted the examination helpline seeking clarification. According to Talib, officials advised them to submit their grievance through email. Soon after sending the communication, the family reportedly received a call from authorities assuring them that a revised admit card would be issued by Saturday evening.

While the assurance offered some relief, the uncertainty surrounding the examination venue has created significant emotional stress for the student. With the examination date only hours away, the family says there is little time left to make alternative arrangements, especially if a new centre is assigned in another district.

Talib explained that they had originally selected three district preferences while filling out the application form and expected the centre to be allotted within those options. Instead, the unexpected appearance of an overseas venue has raised questions about whether a technical or administrative error occurred during the allocation process.

“Our demand is simple. He should be given a centre in Nagpur itself. There is no time now to travel to another district. The examination is very close,” he said.

The father also revealed the emotional impact the episode has had on his son. Like thousands of medical aspirants across the country, Abdullah has spent months preparing for the examination, hoping to secure a seat in a medical college. The sudden confusion over the examination centre, however, has shaken his confidence at a crucial moment.

“He was deeply upset. He cried a lot yesterday and even said he did not want to appear for the examination anymore. His mother tried to console him and encourage him. If he agrees, he will appear for the test,” Talib said.

The incident highlights the immense pressure faced by NEET candidates, for whom even minor administrative issues can have major consequences. The examination is regarded as one of India’s toughest entrance tests, with lakhs of students competing for a limited number of medical seats every year. In such a high-stakes environment, errors related to admit cards, examination centres, or scheduling can significantly affect a candidate’s mental well-being and performance.

The controversy has also renewed discussion about the need for greater accuracy and transparency in examination administration. Parents and students often depend entirely on official communications and digital systems, making any discrepancy particularly stressful when important deadlines are involved.

As the family awaits the promised revised admit card, they remain hopeful that authorities will allocate a centre within Nagpur, allowing Abdullah to focus on the examination rather than logistical challenges. For now, the episode serves as a reminder of how critical efficient examination management is for students whose academic futures may depend on a single day’s performance.

With the NEET-UG retest just around the corner, all eyes will be on whether the issue is resolved in time and whether the student receives the opportunity to sit for the examination without further disruption.