Overview
- The Ministry of Education said Wednesday that it is formulating a national, examination-grade Computer-Based Testing (CBT) infrastructure strategy to permit migration of pen‑and‑paper entrance exams like NEET to online delivery.
- Officials said the plan will use a multi‑model sourcing architecture to expand and standardize test centres, set centre-level technical and security specifications, and close geographic shortfalls in availability.
- A final decision on moving NEET‑UG fully to CBT will follow the Nandan Nilekani‑led high‑level task force report and require formal concurrence from the Health Ministry and the National Medical Commission.
- The strategy explicitly aims to address sequencing, device and connectivity needs, and equity for rural, women and low‑connectivity candidates to avoid disadvantaging students without reliable access.
- The move builds on the NTA’s existing CBT operations for exams such as JEE‑Main and CUET and responds to the NEET paper leak earlier this year that triggered nationwide protests and political change; NEET serves roughly 2.5 million applicants competing for about 108,000 MBBS seats.