New Delhi

The National Testing Agency (NTA) on Friday said that it is sending reminder SMS messages, emails, and WhatsApp notifications to candidates, urging them to download their admit cards for the NEET-UG 2026 re-examination scheduled for June 21, while cautioning students against fraudulent messages and fake communications.

The NEET-UG exam for admissions into medical courses was originally held on May 3 this year, but was cancelled on May 12 due to allegations of a paper leak. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is currently investigating this issue.

"NTA is sending reminder SMS and emails to candidates to download their admit cards for the re-examination on Sunday, 21 June 2026," the agency said in a public advisory on X.

The agency informed that legitimate SMS messages would be sent from the official sender ID "NICPEP," and emails would originate from " [email protected]."

It also reiterated that only the official website for this process is http://neet.nta.nic.in; candidates are encouraged to enter this URL 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, adding, "If you receive any such message, do not click. Report it."

Additionally, the NTA mentioned that it would now send exam updates and centre information to candidates directly via WhatsApp for the re-examination.

Candidates should ensure that they see the blue verified tick and the name 'National Testing Agency' next to the sender; any message from an account without the blue tick is NOT from the NTA, even if it appears to use their name, the advisory said.

The NTA clarified 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 that requests such information is fraudulent.

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

Furthermore, the NTA noted that the admit cards issued for the May 3 exam are no longer valid, as many students have been assigned new test centres in their preferred cities.

"Downloading and printing the 21st June Admit Card, once is enough," the NTA added.

The agency advised candidates to download admit cards only from the official website and report suspicious messages through the designated reporting platform or cybercrime helplines.

The clarification came after several users took to social media to express concern over "urgent" messages sent by the NTA asking students to download fresh admit cards for the June 21 re-examination.

Sharing a screenshot of the message on X, a 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 stated: "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."

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Another user, @k9f2se, questioned the move, saying, "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."