The Ministry of Education is developing a comprehensive strategy to create a national Computer-Based Testing (CBT) infrastructure to transition the NEET examination from its current paper-based format to an online format, officials reported.
Although NEET is currently conducted in the traditional manner, the National Testing Agency (NTA) already organizes several other examinations, such as JEE-Main, Common University Entrance Test (CUET)-UG and PG, UGC-NET, and CSIR UGC-NET, using a computer-based mode.
Once the infrastructure strategy is approved, it is planned to shift all entrance examinations to an online mode. According to a senior official from the Ministry of Education, a national CBT strategy is being formulated to eliminate geographical inequality in the availability of test centers, standardize exam specifications at the center level, and ensure the possibility of migration from paper-based format to CBT. This strategy is being considered based on a multi-modal search architecture.
This step comes amid the ongoing reorganization of the National Testing Agency (NTA), which is an autonomous body responsible for conducting NEET-UG and other entrance exams for higher education institutions.
An official representative added that work is underway for a possible transition of NEET (UG) from paper-based to CBT, including developing the transition process, sequence of steps, necessary infrastructural prerequisites, and equity issues for candidates from rural areas, women, and low-connectivity regions. However, recommendations are awaited from the High-Level Target Group on Exam Reforms after consultations and agreement from the Ministry of Health and the National Medical Commission.
Following the leak of NEET exam papers earlier this year, the Center announced that the medical entrance exam would be conducted in CBT format starting next year. Although officials are aware of this development, the final decision will only be made after receiving the report from the target group led by Nandan Nilekani, which was formed to reform India's public examination system.
The leak of the NEET-UG examination ticket earlier this year triggered nationwide student protests and led to the resignation of then Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. A day after Pradhan's resignation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the formation of a high-level target group headed by Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani to develop recommendations aimed at protecting the examination system from leaks.
As of now, the panel has not yet submitted its report. The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET)-UG is the largest entrance examination in the country, with about 2.5 million candidates taking it. NTA conducts NEET annually for admission to medical colleges, where a total of 1.08 lakh seats are available for the MBBS course, of which approximately 56,000 are in government hospitals and about 52,000 are in private colleges. NEET results are also used for admission to courses in dentistry, Ayurveda, Unani, and Siddha.