The NEET UG exam may soon transition to an online format, with a decision expected shortly, as confirmed by Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Ongoing discussions between the Education and Health Ministries could lead to the reforms being implemented by 2025.
The NEET UG exam may soon transition to an online format, with a decision expected shortly.Dharmendra Pradhan, Union Education Minister
Presently, India's largest medical entrance exam, NEET UG, is administered offline, with candidates responding to multiple-choice questions on optical mark recognition (OMR) sheets. In 2024, more than 24 lakh candidates appeared for the exam, competing for approximately 1.08 lakh MBBS seats across the country.
The proposal to shift NEET to a Computer-Based Test (CBT) has been considered before but gained significant traction after recent controversies. Allegations of paper leaks and irregularities in NEET and other exams like NET have prompted increased scrutiny and discussions about improving the exam process.
Pradhan mentioned that the Education Ministry has already conducted two rounds of talks with the Health Ministry, led by Union Minister JP Nadda. He emphasized that since the Health Ministry is responsible for administering NEET, discussions are focused on determining the most suitable exam format. The National Testing Agency (NTA) is prepared to conduct the exam in any format that is decided upon.
The NTA has been responsible for conducting NEET each year for MBBS, BDS, and other medical courses. With a growing number of candidates and concerns over exam security, shifting to an online format could help streamline the process and reduce malpractice.
The push for reform intensified after NEET was marred by multiple allegations of paper leaks, which drew widespread criticism. In response, the government formed a high-level committee, led by former ISRO Chief R. Radhakrishnan, to recommend measures that would ensure the transparency and fairness of national exams.
One key proposal from the committee is the introduction of multi-stage testing for NEET-UG, aimed at enhancing security and fairness.
One key proposal from the committee is the introduction of multi-stage testing for NEET-UG, aimed at enhancing security and fairness. The committee, which includes experts from AIIMS, IITs, and other prestigious institutions, is working on a framework that would set clear thresholds and ranking criteria for each stage of the exam.
As discussions continue, an official update on the format for NEET UG 2025 is expected soon. For now, the transition to an online exam format remains a strong possibility, with the proposed reforms potentially taking effect by 2025.
(Input from various sources)
(Rehash/Sai Sindhuja K/MSM)