New Delhi: A NEET-UG candidate from Nagpur was left distressed after being allotted an examination centre in Abu Dhabi for the June 21 re-test, triggering criticism of the National Testing Agency’s (NTA) handling of the examination process.

According to the student’s family, the candidate discovered the overseas exam centre only after downloading his admit card a day before the test. The family said the student does not possess a passport and lacked both the time and financial means to travel abroad, leaving him anxious about missing the examination.

The NTA said the grievance was being addressed and that the candidate would be allotted a centre in Nagpur within hours.

Reacting to the incident, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi questioned how a student from Nagpur could be assigned an exam centre in another country and accused the examination agency of causing unnecessary stress to students and parents.

He argued that no student should face difficulties in reaching an examination centre and said a system that cannot allot a centre in a candidate’s own city raises serious concerns about the conduct of national-level examinations.

The incident comes amid renewed criticism of the country’s examination system. Earlier this week, Gandhi launched a signature campaign highlighting issues such as paper leaks, high fees and student stress. During an interaction with students in Kota, Rajasthan, he described the education system as excessively stressful and unfair, claiming it places a heavy burden on students and middle-class families.

The controversy has once again drawn attention to concerns over examination management and the challenges faced by students appearing for competitive entrance tests.