NEET UG to be fully computer-based from next year: NTA to Supreme Court

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has informed the Supreme Court that it is preparing to shift the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test Undergraduate (NEET UG) to a computer-based test (CBT) format from the next academic cycle, replacing the existing pen-and-paper system.

The development was placed before the apex court during the hearing of a batch of petitions connected to the alleged NEET UG 2026 paper leak, which led to the cancellation of the May 3 examination earlier this year.

In an affidavit submitted before a bench of Justices P S Narasimha and Alok Aradhe, the NTA stated that a high-level committee of experts (HLCE) has recommended that NEET UG be transitioned from offline pen-and-paper mode to CBT mode.

The agency further noted that NEET UG remains the only major examination conducted by NTA in pen-and-paper format, largely due to the structure prescribed by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the National Medical Commission.

It added that all other major NTA-conducted examinations have already moved to computer-based testing.

“The HLCE has specifically recommended transition of NEET (UG) from PPT to CBT mode, along with the introduction of multi-session and multi-stage testing,” the affidavit stated.

“The transition will be implemented from the next examination cycle in consultation with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (the client ministry for NEET UG), thereby bringing all major NTA examinations onto the CBT platform,” it said.

The affidavit was filed in compliance with the Supreme Court’s May 25 directive, as the court continues to hear pleas seeking restructuring or replacement of the NTA with an independent and more robust body for conducting medical entrance examinations.

In its submission, the NTA said it has acted in good faith and followed due process and legal provisions to protect the integrity of the national examination system, as well as the interests of the majority of bona fide candidates whose conduct and performance were not in question.

The agency also highlighted that in June 2024, the Ministry of Education had constituted the HLCE under the chairmanship of former ISRO chief Dr K Radhakrishnan to suggest examination reforms. The committee submitted its report in October 2024 with 101 recommendations.

Following this, a high-powered steering committee (HPSC) was formed in November 2024 under Dr Radhakrishnan to ensure structured and time-bound implementation of the recommendations.

The affidavit stated that under HPSC oversight, several recommendations have already been implemented or are in advanced stages of execution, including strengthened standard operating procedures for question paper setting, vetting, and related processes.

It further noted that NEET UG 2026 was conducted on May 3 across 5,432 centers, with more than 22.05 lakh candidates appearing for the examination.

“The re-examination scheduled on June 21, 2026, will be conducted under a further strengthened SOP framework, with multi-layer authentication, surveillance, and inter-agency coordination, in line with the directions and oversight of the HPSC,” the affidavit stated.

The NTA also said that the decision to cancel the May 3 exam and refer the matter to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) reflects the seriousness with which both the agency and the government treat examination integrity.

“The decision was taken in the interest of students and in recognition of the trust on which the national examination system rests,” it added.

Separately, the agency said it is cooperating fully with the ongoing CBI investigation into the alleged irregularities.

Outlining future reforms, the NTA informed the court that processes such as randomization and rotation in the selection of paper setters, moderators, translators, proofreaders, and other personnel are being further strengthened for high-stakes examinations.

It also stated that artificial intelligence tools will be used for at least 85% of translation work to reduce manual intervention and improve security and efficiency.

The affidavit reiterated that the transition to CBT for NEET UG will be implemented in coordination with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, ensuring that all major NTA examinations are aligned under a unified computer-based testing framework.