New Delhi, July 8: The National Testing Agency (NTA) has announced significant changes for the NEET-UG 2027 examination, which will now be conducted over a span of six days in a computer-based test (CBT) format. This decision comes in the wake of controversies surrounding paper leaks in previous examinations.
The NTA, responsible for conducting the largest medical entrance exam in the country, has confirmed that over 1,000 examination centers will be established nationwide for this purpose. Previously, the NEET exam was held in a pen-and-paper format.
Each year, approximately 25 lakh candidates participate in the NEET-UG. Sources indicate that the new examination plan is still under development, and similar to the JEE engineering entrance exam, NEET will now be conducted on different days.
Reason for Changes: Paper Leak Controversy
The shift to a computer-based format is a direct response to the paper leak and other irregularities that marred the 2024 examination. Following these issues, the central government announced that NEET-UG would transition from the traditional pen-and-paper method to a CBT format. Discussions between the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Health regarding this change have been ongoing for several years, but the process accelerated after the controversies.
The results of the NEET examination are crucial for admissions into various undergraduate courses in dentistry, Ayurveda, Unani, and Siddha medicine.
This Year’s Exam: A Recap
In 2026, the NEET-UG exam was conducted on May 3 across 551 cities in India and 14 centers abroad, with around 20 lakh candidates participating. However, on May 7, reports of irregularities led to the examination being referred to central agencies. The exam was subsequently cancelled on May 12, with a decision made for a re-examination, which was announced on May 15. The investigation into the matter is currently being handled by the CBI.
Committee Formed for Reforms
In June 2024, the Ministry of Education established a high-level committee led by former ISRO chairman K. Radhakrishnan to suggest reforms for the examination system.