5 hrs ago
NEET-UG Set to Move to Computer-Based Testing Soon
NEET-UG is India’s major medical entrance exam.
It is currently taken on paper using question booklets and OMR answer sheets.
The National Testing Agency says the exam will soon be taken on computers instead.
The agency has not announced a specific start date.
It will first need more computer centres and stronger online security.
A task force led by Nandan Nilekani is helping plan the change.
Other exams, such as JEE Main and CUET, already use computers.
NTA says identity checks using Aadhaar and face authentication can help stop cheating.
It also hopes its testing system could eventually be used by other countries.
NTA Director General Abhishek Singh said NEET-UG will soon shift from paper-based OMR sheets to computer-based testing.
The transition will require more certified computer centres, stronger safeguards and cybersecurity measures.
JEE Main, UGC-NET, CUET and NIFT examinations already use computer-based formats.
A task force led by Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani is guiding the proposed digital transition.
NTA says Aadhaar, face authentication, artificial intelligence and data analytics will help prevent fraud and improve exam security.
- Who
- The National Testing Agency and its Director General, Abhishek Singh, are leading the proposed change, with a task force led by Nandan Nilekani guiding the transition.
- What
- NEET-UG is planned to move from paper-based OMR testing to a computer-based test format.
- Where
- The change concerns NEET-UG examinations conducted across India; Singh discussed it on the sidelines of the 18th BRICS summit in Delhi.
- When
- The shift is expected to happen soon, but no specific implementation date has been announced.
- Why
- The NTA says computer-based testing is the future and could reduce risks linked to paper handling, transit breaches and manual evaluation while improving security.
Arguments for digital testing
Implementation concerns
Exam integrity
Arguments for digital testing
Supporters say removing physical question papers and OMR evaluation could reduce paper-logistics risks, transit breaches and manual evaluation errors.
Implementation concerns
The transition must address technical glitches, server overloads, unauthorized access and other cybersecurity risks.
Readiness
Arguments for digital testing
NTA says several major examinations already operate successfully in computer-based formats and that CBT is the future of its examinations.
Implementation concerns
NEET-UG involves more than 20 lakh candidates, requiring substantial expansion of certified testing centres and careful planning across India.
Public confidence
Arguments for digital testing
Aadhaar and face authentication, along with artificial intelligence and data analytics, are presented as tools to detect fraud and improve fairness.
Implementation concerns
The move follows public scrutiny and legal challenges involving paper-based entrance exams, so the NTA must strengthen its systems and processes before implementation.
Key facts
- Exam affected
- National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (Undergraduate), or NEET-UG
- Planned format
- Computer-Based Test (CBT)
- Current format
- Pen-and-paper examination using physical question booklets and OMR sheets
- Expected scale
- The transition is described as involving more than 20 lakh candidates
- Task force leader
- Nandan Nilekani, Infosys co-founder
- Existing CBT exams
- JEE Main, UGC-NET, CUET and NIFT
- Security measures
- Aadhaar-based verification, face authentication, artificial intelligence, data analytics and cybersecurity protocols
- International goal
- NTA wants to develop a digital public good that could eventually be adopted by other countries, including BRICS countries
Quotes
Abhishek Singh
Director General of the National Testing Agency
“CBT requires augmenting this testing infrastructure, building up safeguards. So that is the future. Currently, the JEE examination, the UGC NET examination, the CUET examinations, the NIFT examinations all are done in CBT. So CBT is the future, so all our examinations will be CBT in the days to come”
wionews.com
“We have Aadhaar based and face authentication method, which you use to verify there. So that is not a problem. With this Aadhaar database and the face authentication system, we have solved that problem, and we are using that face authentication framework in almost every examination that we conduct”
wionews.com
Sources
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