After NEET Paper Leak, Exam to Shift to CBT Mode; Centre Begins Preparations

While NEET-UG has traditionally been conducted using pen and paper, the Ministry of Education is now formulating a nationwide strategy to transition the exam to a computer-based mode.

The Ministry of Education is preparing for a major overhaul of the NEET-UG examination format. Plans are underway to establish a nationwide infrastructure that supports a computer-based test (CBT) mode, replacing the traditional pen-and-paper method. The Ministry is working to create the necessary infrastructure—including exam centers and technical systems—required for online testing. However, a final decision on moving NEET online has not yet been reached; the government is awaiting the report from a high-level task force headed by Nandan Nilekani. A final decision regarding the next steps will be taken only after receiving the task force’s recommendations on examination reforms.

The Ministry of Education’s plan extends beyond just NEET. Officials state that a strategy is being devised to create a national-level CBT infrastructure that can accommodate various entrance examinations in online mode. The initiative also aims to bridge the gap in exam center availability between urban and rural areas. Furthermore, efforts are being made to standardize computer security and other essential facilities across different exam centers. According to a Ministry official, considerations are being made regarding infrastructure requirements, the availability of exam centers, and a phased implementation of the transition from pen-and-paper exams to CBT.

JEE and CUET Already in CBT Mode

Among the exams conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA), NEET-UG is currently the only one held in pen-and-paper mode, whereas several other major NTA exams are conducted on computers. These include JEE Main, CUET-UG, CUET-PG, UGC-NET, and CSIR-UGC-NET. The government is preparing to move towards conducting other entrance examinations online as well, once adequate infrastructure is in place.

Preparations for online exams gain momentum following leaks

Discussions about conducting NEET in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode are not new, but the government’s focus on this has intensified following the paper leak incident. Students across the country staged protests after the NEET-UG question paper was leaked this year. Subsequently, the Centre constituted a high-level task force to reform the examination system. This task force is headed by Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani. Its objective is to recommend reforms to the country’s public examination system that would make exams more secure. The task force’s report is currently awaited.

Focus on students from rural areas and regions with poor connectivity

While planning to shift NEET to an online format, the impact on candidates from rural areas, women, and districts with poor connectivity is also being taken into consideration. Separate preparations are being made regarding the availability of examination centers and the necessary technical facilities. According to officials, work is underway on various aspects of the transition from the pen-and-paper format to CBT, including the implementation phases and the required infrastructure.