Archive · 20 Sep 2025
NEET-UG Exam: Exploring a Potential Shift to Online Format
The government is thinking about changing the big medical school entrance exam, NEET-UG, from paper and pencil to a computer test.
They're looking at whether this would be fair to all students and if there are enough computers and internet access everywhere.
They're also considering what other exams are doing.
A big challenge is making sure students in rural areas have what they need.
Over 20 lakh students take this test every year.
A group has also suggested making the test multi-stage to make it better.
There's no exact date for when this might happen yet.
The Ministry of Education is analyzing the possibility of shifting NEET-UG to an online Computer Based Test (CBT) format.
The study considers potential disadvantages for certain student groups and infrastructure availability.
The MoE will share findings with the Ministry of Health, which oversees medical admissions.
A high-level panel recommended exploring multi-stage testing for improved transparency.
Rural and remote areas' preparedness for conducting online exams is a major challenge.
- Who
- Ministry of Education (MoE)
- What
- Is exploring a shift of the NEET-UG exam to an online format.
- When
- Ongoing analysis with no set timeline.
- Where
- India
- Why
- To potentially improve fairness and address concerns around the current exam format.
- Exam Name
- National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test for Undergraduates (NEET-UG)
- Exam Format
- Currently pen-and-paper; potential shift to Computer Based Test (CBT)
- Number of Candidates
- Over 20 lakh annually
- Initiating Body
- Ministry of Education (MoE)
- Areas of Analysis
- Student disadvantage, infrastructure, other CBT exams
- Recommendations
- Multi-stage testing (suggested by a panel)