Centre Initiates Talks to Restructure NEET-UG Format for 2026

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Posted by NewAdmin on 2025-01-30 09:11:01 |

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Although the NEET-UG 2025 exam will proceed as planned withno changes, discussions are underway regarding a potential shift in the examformat for 2026. Inter-ministerial meetings have taken place in the past weekto brainstorm the future course of action for restructuring the nationalmedical school exam. The National Testing Agency (NTA) has been instructed todevelop a clear action plan, including potential templates for the changes,following recommendations made by the High-Level Committee (HLC), which waschaired by former ISRO chairman K. Radhakrishnan after the 2024 exam paperleak, as reported by source.

The NTA has been tasked with evaluating logistical andinfrastructural requirements, creating additional testing centers, andestablishing enhanced security protocols. These measures are aimed at enablinga NEET-UG exam that could potentially be multistage and held over multipledates. Top officials from both the Education and Health ministries, alongsiderepresentatives from the NTA, have participated in these discussions. A finaldecision on the NEET-UG reform is expected once the NTA submits a clear implementationplan. Additionally, the Education Ministry has begun a fresh review of theNTA's operations to ensure that the exam reforms are implemented effectivelyand on time for the scheduled cycle.

The HLC report has proposed the introduction of 'Multi-StageTesting for NEET-UG,' a computer-based, multi-session exam format for all examswith over 2 lakh candidates. It also suggests establishing a network of 1,000testing centers, down to every district, and a major overhaul of the NTA.Although it was widely anticipated that NEET-UG exam reforms would begin thisacademic year, with a potential shift to a hybrid or computer-based testingmode to ensure a 'zero-error' exam, the NTA recently confirmed that the NEET-UG2025 exam will follow the same single-day, pen-and-paper format without anychanges.

The decision to retain the current format for NEET-UG 2025was primarily due to the NTA's lack of readiness to efficiently implement a newexam format for more than 25 lakh students. A shift to computer-based testing(CBT) or even a multistage pen-and-paper exam would require significantstrengthening of testing infrastructure and trained personnel. Reports suggestthat minimal progress has been made at the NTA regarding these changes, and itwas also felt that there would not be enough time to prepare for theimplementation of the new format. It was emphasized that students should begiven adequate advance notice of any changes to the exam format to allow themto mentally prepare for the adjustments.

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