3 weeks ago
NBEMS draws flak over incorrect NEET-PG test-centre SMS
An organisation in India that arranges tests for doctors sends messages to students about where they will take their exam.
This organisation is called NBEMS.
This week, it made a very big mistake.
It told many students the wrong cities for their test.
One student who lives in Gujarat was told to go to Manipur, which is very far away.
Many students got confused because the official website showed a different, correct city.
Some students even received two wrong messages.
NBEMS said the problem was caused by a technical glitch and sent new messages with the right information.
Still, many doctors and students were upset and made jokes about it online.
The mistake also made people question the government's exam system and criticise the health minister, J.P. Nadda.
NBEMS sent incorrect NEET-PG 2026 centre allocations via SMS in the early hours of August 12, citing technical glitches.
Candidates received centres in far-off states — a Gujarat resident was told Manipur, while Bengal candidates got Uttar Pradesh or Bihar.
The official portal showed the correct test centres, leaving candidates unsure which message to trust, and some received two wrong SMSes.
NBEMS issued a clarification and a follow-up SMS with correct details following a social media backlash of memes and mockery.
Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda faced criticism and calls for resignation as the episode added to scrutiny of India's exam system.
- Who
- The National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) and its officials, along with NEET-PG 2026 candidates such as doctors and medical students across India.
- What
- NBEMS sent incorrect test-centre allocations to NEET-PG 2026 candidates via SMS in the middle of the night, then clarified the error was due to technical glitches.
- Where
- India, with wrong allotments reported for Manipur, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh and Mumbai.
- When
- Early August 12, 2026; wrong SMSes began around 12:03 am, with a correction message arriving at 1:59 am, after promised intimation failed to arrive on August 11.
- Why
- The error caused panic and confusion among candidates, drew social media mockery, and intensified scrutiny of the government's examination system and Minister J.P. Nadda.
Critics
NBEMS and Defenders
Cause of the incorrect SMS
Critics
Critics see the mix-up as incompetence and failed logistics, citing repeated glitches in India's examination system and demanding J.P. Nadda's resignation.
NBEMS and Defenders
NBEMS attributes the error to technical glitches and says it swiftly issued a clarification and follow-up SMS with the correct test-centre details.
Reading of the blunder
Critics
Most candidates call the random allotments a 'pan-India pilgrimage' that caused panic, added travel costs and needless expense for giving one exam.
NBEMS and Defenders
Some applicants defended the episode as a subtle suggestion to plan a vacation, noting their preparation is almost done.
Key facts
- Organisation
- National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS)
- Exam
- NEET-PG 2026
- Error
- Incorrect test-centre allocations sent by SMS in the middle of the night
- Stated cause
- Technical glitches
- Time of wrong SMS
- From about 12:03 am on August 12, 2026
- Examples of wrong allotments
- Gujarat resident allotted Manipur; Kerala candidates allotted Chhattisgarh or Mumbai; Bengal candidates allotted Uttar Pradesh or Bihar
- Corrected via
- Follow-up SMS and official NBEMS portal
- Minister criticised
- J.P. Nadda, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare
Quotes
Dr Madhushree Mukherjee
Kolkata‑based NEET‑PG candidate
“We were told the test city intimation would reach us on 11th August, but after waiting for it the entire day, we didn’t get any information. I didn’t know which one to believe, whether to book tickets to Ghaziabad or not.”
telegraphindia.com
“As a software developer, watching NBEMS traumatise my brother with an SMS saying his NEET‑PG centre is Manipur (while we live in Gujarat!), only for the official portal to show the correct location, peak tragedy.”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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