NEET-UG 2026 re-test: NTA warns against fake admit card messages

The National Testing Agency has said it is sending reminder SMS messages, emails and WhatsApp notifications to candidates to download their admit cards for the NEET-UG 2026 re-examination on June 21. It also warned students against fraudulent messages and said they should use only official channels.

The exam for admission to medical courses was originally held on May 3, but was cancelled on May 12 after allegations of a paper leak. The Central Bureau of Investigation is investigating the matter.

In a public advisory on X, the agency said, "NTA is sending reminder SMS and emails to candidates to download their admit cards for the re-examination on Sunday, 21 June 2026." It said genuine SMS messages would come from the sender ID "NICPEP", while emails would be sent from "no-reply.neet[email protected]".

The agency said candidates should use only the official website, http://neet.nta.nic.in, and should enter the address directly into their browsers. "NTA will NEVER ask for any payment, send exam papers, answer keys, or 'leaked' material, or share your admit card via a link," the advisory said. "If you receive any such message, do not click. Report it."

The NTA also said it would send exam updates and centre information directly to candidates on WhatsApp for the re-examination. It asked candidates to check for the blue verified tick and the name "National Testing Agency" next to the sender. The advisory said any message from an account without the blue tick is not from the NTA, even if it appears to use the agency's name.

It added that the WhatsApp service is a "broadcast-only channel" and that it "will not ask you to reply, share OTPs/personal details, or pay". Any message claiming to be from the NTA and asking for such information is fraudulent, it said.

The agency said candidates who have already downloaded their admit cards for the June 21 re-examination do not need to do so again. "The SMS/Email/WhatsApp messages are primarily for those students who are yet to download their new Admit Cards," it said.

The NTA also said the admit cards issued for the May 3 exam are no longer valid because many students have been assigned new test centres in their preferred cities. "Downloading and printing the 21st June Admit Card, once is enough," it added.

The clarification came after several users on social media raised concerns over "urgent" messages asking students to download fresh admit cards for the June 21 re-examination.

Sharing a screenshot on X, user @YouthForPeace_ wrote, "A fresh admit card just 3 days before the NEET re-exam? The SMS says the exam centre and roll number may change, and old admit cards won't be valid. Last-minute changes only increase students' stress. Clear communication matters."

The message said: "Urgent: NEET (UG) Re-exam is scheduled on June 21. Download your new fresh admit card from neet.nta.nic.in immediately. Note: Your city may be the same, but the exam centre and roll number may change. Old admit cards will not be valid."

Another user, @k9f2se, wrote, "Dear @NTA_Exams, what exactly is happening? Sending an 'URGENT' SMS just days before the Re NEET, asking candidates to download fresh admit cards because centres and roll numbers may change, is unacceptable. Many students have already printed admit cards and made arrangements."

The NTA has said candidates should download admit cards only from the official website and report suspicious messages through the designated reporting platform or cybercrime helplines, as it continues preparations for the June 21 re-examination.

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