The National Testing Agency (NTA) is preparing to transition the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET-UG) from its traditional pen-and-paper OMR format to a Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode. Stating that “CBT is the future”, NTA Director General Abhishek Singh confirmed that the agency is actively working on phasing out paper-based testing for India’s largest medical entrance examination.
Speaking on the proposed transition, Singh highlighted that NEET-UG remains the only major national-level entrance exam still conducted offline using physical question booklets and OMR response sheets.
“All our examinations are CBT except the NEET examination. On NEET also, we will be moving to CBT very soon,” Singh stated on the sidelines of the BRICS
summit in Delhi, according to news agency ANI. He pointed out that major competitive assessments—including the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE Main), CUET, UGC-NET, and NIFT entrance tests—are already successfully administered in online CBT formats across the country.
Task Force & Infrastructure Upgrades
The shift to a digital examination mode is being guided by a high-powered task force led by Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani. The panel was tasked with recommending systemic overhauls to ensure seamless execution, enhanced security, and error-free test administration.
Transitioning over 20 lakh candidates to an online setup requires substantial logistical preparations:
- Infrastructure Expansion: Augmenting certified computer testing centres nationwide to accommodate the massive candidate volume simultaneously or across multiple shifts.
- Robust Safeguards: Building advanced cybersecurity protocols to prevent technical glitches, server overloads, and unauthorised access.
- AI Integration: Implementing artificial intelligence and data analytics tools to monitor exam logs and detect anomalous patterns for fraud prevention.
Restoring Integrity to the Medical Entrance System
The push to digitise NEET-UG comes after extensive public scrutiny and legal challenges surrounding paper-based entrance exams in recent cycles. Phasing out physical question papers is expected to eliminate risks associated with physical paper logistics, transit breaches, and manual evaluation errors.
While a specific implementation timeline has not yet been announced, officials indicated that the NTA will finalise domestic infrastructure upgrades and security checks before rolling out the new computer-based format for medical aspirants.
