NTA to launch refund portal (representational)
The National Testing Agency (NTA) is set to launch a refund portal on Thursday for candidates appearing in the NEET UG 2026 re-examination, scheduled after the original exam held on May 3 was scrapped over alleged paper leak concerns.The NEET UG 2026 exam was cancelled following allegations of a paper leak that triggered nationwide outrage and a formal investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).However, the refund amount will not include payment gateway or bank charges, the agency clarified. Candidates have been advised to carefully fill in their bank details, including account holder name, account number, IFSC code and bank name, to ensure smooth processing of refunds.How much refund will be initiated?According to a Careers360 report, General category candidates will receive a refund of ₹1,700, while OBC and EWS candidates will get ₹1,600.SC, ST and PwD candidates are eligible for a refund of ₹1,000, while NRI candidates will receive ₹9,500.NTA issues guidelines for candidatesIn its notice addressing frequently asked questions, the NTA stated that candidates will not be allowed to change the medium of examination selected during the application process. Read full notice: https://www.nta.ac.in/Download/Notice/Notice_20260516152301.pdf
Can students change city preference?The agency also said examination centres will be allotted randomly based on the cities chosen by candidates in their application forms.Responding to complaints from students who said certain city options were unavailable, the NTA explained that the issue is linked to language availability.Meanwhile, a parliamentary panel on Monday summoned NTA officials to review reforms in the wake of the NEET-UG paper leak controversy.NTA Director General Abhishek Singh said the investigation would remain impartial and assured that everyone involved in the leak would be identified, irrespective of their links to the organisation. NTA Chairperson Pradeep Kumar Joshi and other senior officials have been called for deliberations on May 21.The NEET (UG) 2026 re-examination is scheduled to be held on June 21, 2026, from 2:00 PM to 5:15 PM, including time for formalities. No additional fee will be charged from candidates for appearing in the re-exam.Students can also submit complaints or queries through the official NTA helpdesk email: neetug2026@nta.ac.in.
