The Centre has introduced a series of reforms for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test for Postgraduate (NEET PG) 2026, aimed at improving candidate
convenience and strengthening the transparency and security of the examination process. According to PTI, the changes include allowing candidates to choose three preferred exam cities, informing them of their allotted test city nearly three weeks before the examination, and revising the exam pattern to provide more time per question while retaining the overall duration. The National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS), which conducts the exam, has expanded the number of test cities from 233 to 312. Candidates will now be able to select three preferred cities while submitting their application forms, a move expected to reduce travel-related challenges. Aspirants will receive advance information about their allotted exam city around three weeks before the test, giving them sufficient time to plan travel and accommodation. Enhanced Security, Revised Exam Pattern The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, in a post on X, said the reforms have been introduced to make the NEET PG 2026 examination more transparent and candidate-friendly. Besides the three-city preference and early exam city intimation, the ministry said the examination will now consist of 180 questions to be completed in 210 minutes, giving candidates more time for each question than in previous editions. To strengthen examination security, the government has announced multiple safeguards, including Aadhaar-based authentication, iris biometric verification, CCTV surveillance, signal jammers, and deployment of independent observers at examination centres.
Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda urged candidates not to fall for rumours or misleading claims regarding the examination. He reiterated the government's commitment to conducting a fair, transparent and secure NEET PG 2026.
The reforms follow recommendations made by a high-level committee constituted after concerns raised over the conduct of previous entrance examinations. Another key change is that NEET PG 2026 will be held in a single shift, replacing the earlier multi-shift format that had drawn criticism over score normalisation.
NEET PG 2026 is scheduled to be held on August 30, with the Centre saying the latest measures are intended to ensure a smoother experience for candidates while maintaining the integrity of one of the country's biggest postgraduate medical entrance examinations.
(With PTI Inputs)
