NTA extends NEET UG 2026 fee refund deadline as re-test preparations intensify

The National Testing Agency has extended the deadline for NEET UG 2026 fee refund submissions till June 22 as preparations intensify for the June 21 re-examination ordered after allegations of paper leaks and exam irregularities triggered nationwide outrage.

The agency said nearly 13 lakh candidates have already updated their bank account details through the official NEET UG portal to receive refunds of examination fees paid for the canceled May 3 test.

In a public notice issued on May 27, the NTA said candidates who have not yet submitted their bank details can continue using the dedicated refund facility available on the NEET registration portal. Students must log in using their application credentials and access the refund link to complete the process.

The agency had earlier announced that no fee would be charged for the re-examination and that the amount already paid by students for the original examination would be refunded.

The revised window for submitting bank details will remain open until 11:50 pm on June 22. Candidates have also been allowed to upload a canceled cheque to avoid errors in account information. Once submitted, bank details cannot be edited further, according to the notification.

The NEET UG 2026 examination, conducted on May 3, had nearly 23 lakh registered candidates across India and overseas centers.

However, the exam was canceled on May 12 after allegations surfaced that questions similar to those in the paper had been circulated before the test. The controversy led to widespread protests from students and parents, multiple investigations, and a CBI probe.

The re-examination is now scheduled for June 21.

As the retest approaches, candidates are awaiting the release of the NEET UG Re-Exam 2026 city intimation slip, which is expected shortly on the official website neet.nta.nic.in.

The city slip is likely to be issued by May 31, while the admit card release date is expected to be announced soon.

Once released, candidates will be able to download the city intimation slip by entering their application number and password or date of birth on the official portal.

The admit card for the re-examination will include details such as the candidate’s name, roll number, exam timing, reporting instructions, and examination center address.

To access the city slip, candidates will have to visit the official website, click on the “NEET UG Re-Exam 2026 City Intimation Slip” link, enter login credentials, and download the document for future use.

Meanwhile, the Delhi government has announced free travel for students appearing in the NEET UG re-examination across all Delhi Transport Corporation buses on June 21.

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta shared the announcement on X, saying that candidates would be allowed to travel free upon showing a valid admit card.

The move is aimed at reducing travel-related stress for students appearing in one of the country’s largest medical entrance examinations.

Officials said the initiative is expected to benefit thousands of aspirants, particularly students from economically weaker backgrounds who depend on public transport to reach examination centers.

Along with the announcement, the Chief Minister also extended her wishes to students appearing for the examination and said their hard work and determination should lead them toward success.

The Union government, meanwhile, is working to tighten examination security ahead of the retest.

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said the Indian Air Force may assist in transporting question papers for the June 21 examination as part of a broader strategy to ensure leak-proof and secure conduct of the exam.

Speaking to a media channel, Pradhan said the government was following a “whole-of-government approach” involving the postal department, Home Ministry, state governments, and other agencies.

“In previous examinations, there was a major role for the postal department, the Home Ministry, and state governments. We have taken their help earlier and will continue with a whole-of-government approach to ensure smooth, free, and fair examinations,” he said.

He added that weather conditions and logistical concerns had prompted discussions on involving the Air Force in secure transportation of question papers.

“The work earlier done by the postal department will now also be supported by the Indian Air Force so that question papers reach their destinations on time, considering all factors. The government is serious and fully prepared to conduct free and fair examinations,” Pradhan said.

A high-level meeting involving Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, and Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia was held to discuss measures to strengthen exam security and prevent leaks.

Sources said the proposal to involve the Indian Air Force was reviewed during the meeting, although no final decision has yet been taken and the matter may be placed before Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The possible involvement of the Air Force has also sparked political criticism.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut accused the Centre of exposing “governance failure” by considering military involvement in exam logistics.

In a post on X, Raut said the armed forces were meant to protect national borders, not “cover up NTA and the education ministry’s incompetence."

“This is a shameful admission of governance failure. After years of NEET paper leaks destroying the dreams of lakhs of students, the government now wants the Air Force to transport question papers,” he said.

The Rajya Sabha MP further alleged that instead of fixing systemic flaws and punishing those responsible for leaks, the government was attempting to use the military as a temporary solution.

“Why should the Defence Minister have to chair meetings with the Education Minister for basic exam logistics? This only exposes the incompetence of the NTA and the Education Ministry,” Raut claimed.

He demanded accountability and reforms to restore confidence in the examination system.

The CBI, which is investigating the paper leak allegations, has conducted searches across multiple states. So far, 13 accused have been arrested from cities including Delhi, Jaipur, Gurugram, Nasik, Pune, Latur, and Ahilyanagar.

Amid the uncertainty surrounding NEET UG 2026 and delays in medical counseling, many aspirants are now shifting toward engineering admissions, particularly in Tamil Nadu.

Officials from the Directorate of Technical Education said applications under Tamil Nadu Engineering Admissions had crossed 2.5 lakh within 26 days of registrations opening on May 3.

TNEA is a centralized online counseling process conducted by Anna University for admission to undergraduate engineering programs based entirely on Class 12 marks without an entrance examination.

“Within a span of 26 days, the number of applications has crossed 2.5 lakh, and it is expected to touch three lakh,” a senior DOTE official said.

The official noted that uncertainty over NEET and delays in medical admissions had pushed many students toward engineering courses this year.

“Due to this, there is a notable shift with many medical aspirants choosing engineering admissions,” the official added.

Tamil Nadu has around 2.5 lakh engineering seats across more than 400 colleges affiliated with Anna University. The last date for engineering admissions is June 2, while random numbers will be released on June 5 and the merit list published on June 29.