Twice-yearly NEET, CUET among changes proposed in Education Ministry draft

The Ministry of Education has prepared a draft proposal recommending that major entrance examinations, including the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test Undergraduate (NEET-UG) and Common University Entrance Test Undergraduate (CUET-UG), be conducted twice a year, similar to the existing two-session model for JEE Main.

The proposal is part of a broader review of the country’s competitive examination system. It is still at the draft stage and would require government approval before any changes are implemented.

NEET and CUET could get two examination sessions

At present, JEE Main is conducted in two sessions, while NEET-UG and CUET-UG are conducted once a year. Under the proposed model, candidates would have another opportunity to appear for these entrance examinations within the same academic year.

The proposal is aimed at reducing the pressure associated with a single annual examination and providing students with greater flexibility. The draft also links the proposed changes to efforts to reduce dependence on private coaching and strengthen preparation at the school level.

However, NEET-UG and CUET-UG have not been officially changed to twice-yearly examinations. The NTA's current NEET and CUET portals continue to carry information relating to the 2026 examination cycles and do not announce a new two-session schedule.

The draft also proposes a review of the difficulty level of questions in major entrance examinations.

The recommendation comes amid concerns that some questions may be more difficult than the level generally covered by students at the Class 12 stage. The proposal seeks to examine the question-setting process and the level of difficulty for candidates appearing for these examinations.

State Board curricula may be considered

Another recommendation is to look beyond the NCERT syllabus while framing entrance examination papers and take into account curricula followed by different State Boards and other school boards.

The proposal is intended to address differences in students' academic backgrounds and ensure that candidates following different school curricula are considered while designing national-level entrance examinations.

Special training proposed for school teachers

The draft also proposes specialised training for school teachers to help them prepare students for competitive and entrance examinations.

The recommendation is linked to the broader objective of strengthening academic preparation within schools and reducing students' dependence on private coaching institutions.

The proposed twice-yearly examination model and the other suggested reforms are not yet final rules. Any change in the frequency of NEET-UG or CUET-UG would require an official decision followed by detailed examination notifications specifying the applicable schedule and rules.

For now, students should continue to rely on notifications issued by the NTA for confirmed examination dates and procedures.