NEET UG 2027 CBT plan draws scrutiny; MPs seek safeguards for marginalised students

Members of a parliamentary panel on July 1 recommended granting statutory status to the National Testing Agency (NTA) while commending the smooth conduct of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) re-examination. The MPs, however, voiced concerns over the proposed shift to a computer-based test (CBT) from next year, stressing that students from marginalised and digitally disadvantaged backgrounds should not be adversely affected. Former ISRO chairman R. Radhakrishnan, who is heading the Centre's high-powered committee on examination reforms, appeared before the Parliamentary Committee on Education, Women, Children, Youth and Sports to brief members on the measures adopted for the NEET UG re-exam and the progress on reform initiatives. Re-NEET 2026 LIVE updates.

NTA Director General Abhishek Singh and Secretary, Ministry of Higher Education Vineet Joshi also appeared before the panel and discussed the lessons learnt from June 21 exam. The panel reviewed the conduct of the NEET-UG re-examination and Abhishek Singh briefed its members on the process and the outcomes.

According to sources, panel members questioned how the NTA would independently conduct NEET UG 2027, noting that the June 21 re-exam was successful only because the entire government machinery was involved. They observed that everyone—from the Prime Minister to officials at the grassroots level—played a role in ensuring the smooth conduct of the examination. To enable the agency to manage such a large-scale exam on its own, MPs suggested that the NTA be granted greater powers and accorded statutory status. The NTA currently functions as an autonomous and self-sustained testing agency under the Ministry of Education, having been established under the Societies Registration Act, 1860.

Late-entry cases

The panel also raised concerns over candidates who were denied entry after arriving late at examination centres. Members urged the NTA to devise measures to address such cases, saying the images of distressed aspirants being turned away from exam centres were disturbing. They also expressed reservations about the proposed shift to a computer-based format for NEET from next year, stressing that the agency must ensure students from marginalised and digitally disadvantaged backgrounds are not placed at a disadvantage due to limited access to computers.

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Separate exam for medical courses

Earlier, top officials told the committee about the successful conduct of the NEET re-exam on June 21 and listed several steps being taken. The Committee congratulated them on their efforts. Some MPs also asked why separate tests for nursing and other exams are not held to reduce the number of examinees. Radhakrishnan told the panel that the recommendations made by him are being implemented in a phased manner.

Sources told PTI that some members asked if such exams can be conducted in a graded manner, similar to the ones held by the UPSC. The NEET-UG exam originally conducted on May 3 was cancelled by the government following reports of 'paper leak' and was re-conducted on June 21. Sources further said a few former officials of the Indian Institute of Science and AICTE, besides Delhi School of Artificial Intelligence, also briefed the Committee on the impact of AI on education and suggested strategies to maximise employability of students.

(With PTI inputs)