Parliamentary Panel Urges NEET CBT Shift and Overhaul of NTA
- What: Parliamentary recommendations on NTA reforms
- Who's affected: 1.2 crore annual competitive exam candidates
- Key shift: Move NEET-UG to computer testing
- Target: 1,000 secure government-owned exam centers
India's flagship medical entrance test could soon abandon pen-and-paper examinations entirely under sweeping recommendations from a parliamentary standing committee tasked with restructuring the National Testing Agency. The panel, chaired by Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament Mukul Wasnik, presented its 382nd report calling for NEET-UG to shift to a computer-based testing format while phasing out reliance on vulnerable private testing centers.
To curb paper leaks, the report urges the agency to source questions digitally from an encrypted, continuously updated bank curated by faculty from IITs, AIIMS, and IIMs. Under this framework, final question papers would be assembled via digital tools shortly before exam commencement with paper-vetters strictly quarantined. The committee recommended establishing at least 1,000 secure government-owned testing centers across Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, guaranteeing at least one state-run center in every district.
The report also flagged severe structural vulnerabilities within the agency itself, revealing a 41 percent vacancy rate and total dependence on officers on temporary deputation. The committee urged the government to recruit a dedicated permanent cadre of specialists in psychometrics, exam logistics, and cybersecurity. Operational relief for candidates was also proposed, including a separate 15-minute window for invigilator paperwork and conditional entry for latecomers without granting compensatory time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will NEET-UG switch to a Computer-Based Test format?
A parliamentary committee has recommended transitioning NEET-UG to computer-based testing, supported by an expanded nationwide network of government-owned digital centers.
How does the parliamentary report propose to prevent exam paper leaks?
The report recommends using dynamic digital question banks vetted by premier institutions, generating exam papers close to test time, and sequestering vetters until testing concludes.
What staffing reforms are proposed for the National Testing Agency?
Highlighting a 41 percent vacancy rate, the panel recommended creating a permanent cadre of specialists in psychometrics, data analytics, and exam security to end reliance on short-term deputations.
What procedural changes did the committee suggest for exam centers?
The panel recommended a dedicated 15-minute window for invigilator paperwork outside testing time and permitting late arrivals to enter upon signing an undertaking without granting extra time.
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Tripti Bansal founded PolicyIndex to bring structure and clarity to regulatory change across India, the UK, and the EU. PolicyIndex converts gazette notifications, draft rules, and policy filings into timely, actionable intelligence for the professionals who must respond to them first. This article was researched and written by the PolicyIndex editorial team under her direction, as part of the platform's ongoing coverage of global regulatory developments.