NTA begins refund process for NEET UG 2026 applicants

The National Testing Agency will open an online facility on May 21 for NEET UG 2026 candidates to submit bank account details and claim refunds of examination fees following the cancellation of the earlier exam.

Candidates appearing for the NEET UG 2026 re-examination will not have to pay any additional fee for the fresh test, according to an earlier notice issued by the agency.

To process refunds, NTA will activate a dedicated portal on neet.nta.nic.in where students can log in and provide valid banking details for reimbursement of the fee paid for the canceled examination.

The NEET UG 2026 exam conducted on May 3 was canceled after allegations of a paper leak and other irregularities triggered nationwide controversy.

More than 22 lakh candidates are expected to appear for the retest, scheduled to be held in pen-and-paper mode on June 21 from 2 pm to 5:15 pm.

In its FAQ document, NTA clarified that candidates will not be allowed to change the medium of examination selected during the original application process.

However, students have been permitted to update their present address and preferred exam city due to relocation or changes in residence. The correction window for updating exam city preferences will remain active until May 21 at 11:50 pm.

The agency also informed candidates that the examination center allotted for the retest could differ from the one assigned earlier, depending on updated city choices and center availability.

Meanwhile, Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has directed social media platforms to actively monitor and remove misleading content related to NEET UG ahead of the retest.

During a meeting with representatives from Telegram, Meta, and Google, the minister asked platforms to work closely with the Ministry of Education, NTA, and law enforcement agencies to curb the spread of misinformation and unverified claims related to paper leaks circulating through online groups and messaging channels.

The review meeting was the second held by the minister in two days as authorities intensify preparations for the re-examination.

Pradhan has also sought assistance from central security and intelligence agencies to ensure secure conduct of the retest.

The Central Bureau of Investigation, which is probing the alleged paper leak, has already arrested two individuals linked to the NTA’s question paper-setting process.

According to NTA officials, several procedural changes are being introduced before the retest to strengthen exam security and improve operational integrity.

The reforms include stricter vetting of personnel associated with the examination process, along with institutional changes in question paper preparation, translation, printing, and transportation to examination centers.