The Government is preparing to introduce a major overhaul of the NEET-UG examination process from next year, with the medical entrance test likely to be conducted entirely in computer-based mode. Alongside the shift, the National Testing Agency (NTA) is set for a comprehensive revamp aimed at strengthening the country’s entrance examination system.
According to sources, NEET-UG will likely be held over five to six days instead of a single day. Nearly 1,000 examination centres across around 500 cities are being identified, with government institutions such as Kendriya Vidyalayas and Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas expected to serve as the primary venues. Some reputed private institutions may also be included.
Each centre is expected to accommodate around 500 candidates per day, allowing nearly five lakh aspirants to appear daily. A detailed notification containing shift timings, test cities and other examination guidelines is expected after the restructuring of the NTA is completed.
The Ministry of Education is also undertaking a complete overhaul of the NTA, covering its organisational structure, technology, infrastructure and examination processes. Sources said the restructuring exercise is expected to be completed before October.
The proposed changes follow the recommendations of the high-level committee headed by former ISRO Chairman K. Radhakrishnan, which was constituted after concerns over examination security and paper leak incidents.
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Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan had earlier announced that NEET-UG would eventually transition from the traditional pen-and-paper format to a computer-based test based on the committee’s recommendations. The move is expected to improve security, minimise the risk of question paper leaks and streamline the examination process.
Officials also said investigations into previous examination irregularities are continuing and that action will be taken against anyone found guilty, irrespective of their role.
The Ministry of Education and senior NTA officials recently briefed the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education, Women, Children, Youth and Sports on the steps being taken to strengthen the integrity and transparency of the country’s entrance examination system.
With more than 22 lakh students appearing for NEET-UG every year, the proposed transition to a computer-based, multi-day examination marks one of the biggest reforms in the history of India’s medical entrance examination.
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