The country’s largest medical entrance examination, NEET-UG 2027, is expected to be conducted over at least six days and will be held entirely in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode. More than 1,000 examination centres are likely to be set up for the exam.
The National Testing Agency (NTA) conducts NEET annually for admission to medical colleges. The examination was being conducted in pen-and-paper mode until now.
Around 25 lakh candidates appear for NEET-UG every year. According to a PTI report citing sources, a new plan for conducting the examination is currently being prepared. Similar to the engineering entrance examination JEE, NEET is also expected to be held on multiple days.
Reform process accelerated after paper leak controversy
This change in NEET follows the controversy surrounding the 2024 paper leak and other irregularities. Subsequently, the Central Government announced that NEET-UG would be conducted in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode instead of the traditional pen-and-paper format.
Discussions on introducing this change had been underway for several years between the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Health. However, the process of examination reforms gained momentum following the paper leak controversy.
The results of NEET-UG are also used for admissions to undergraduate courses in Dentistry, Ayurveda, Unani and Siddha medicine.
Committee was formed for reforms
In June 2024, the Ministry of Education constituted a high-level committee headed by former K. Radhakrishnan to recommend reforms in the examination system. The committee was tasked with providing suggestions to improve the overall examination process.
