Centre Working on National CBT Strategy, NEET May Shift Online From Next Year

The Ministry of Education is working on a national examination-grade Computer-Based Testing (CBT) infrastructure strategy to facilitate the possible shift of NEET-UG and other entrance examinations from pen-and-paper to online mode, officials said on Wednesday.

The move comes after the NEET-UG paper leak controversy earlier this year. The Centre had announced that the medical entrance examination could be conducted in CBT mode from next year. However, officials said no final decision has been taken yet and the government is awaiting recommendations from a high-level task force headed by Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani, which was constituted to suggest reforms to India's public examination system.

A senior Ministry of Education official said the proposed strategy aims to address the shortage and uneven distribution of examination centres, establish standardised examination-grade specifications and facilitate the transition from paper-based tests to CBT through a multi-model sourcing system.

The government is also examining the possible impact of moving NEET online on rural candidates, women and students from low-connectivity districts. The transition plan, including infrastructure requirements and the sequencing of the shift, is being worked out in consultation with the Health Ministry and the National Medical Commission (NMC).

The National Testing Agency (NTA) already conducts several major examinations in computer-based mode, including JEE-Main, CUET-UG and PG, UGC-NET and CSIR-UGC-NET. NEET, however, has continued to be conducted using pen and paper.

The NEET-UG examination is India's largest undergraduate entrance test, attracting nearly 25 lakh candidates. Its results are used for admissions to MBBS as well as undergraduate dental, Ayurveda, Unani and Siddha programmes.

Experts said CBT could reduce vulnerabilities associated with the printing and transportation of question papers, but warned that simply moving an examination online would not eliminate malpractice or insider collusion.

Keshav Agarwal, president of the Educators Federation of India, said authorities must verify actual examination-centre capacity through physical inspections and full-load rehearsals. He also highlighted the need to decide early whether the test would be held in a single sitting or multiple shifts.

The Nilekani-led task force is yet to submit its report, after which the government is expected to take a final view on the proposed reforms.