NEET-UG shift to computer-based testing under active consideration, Centre tells SC

The Education Ministry has told the Supreme Court that a migration of the NEET-UG exam from pen-and-paper mode to Computer Based Testing (CBT) is under “active consideration by all stakeholders”. The affidavit, dated August 4, was served to parties late on Tuesday (August 4, 2026).

The affidavit is the first filed by the government in the apex court following the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the NEET-UG 2026 paper leaks.

The government said the move to a computer-based mode, whether in a single stage or two stage examination on the pattern of the Joint Entrance Examination (Mains and Advanced), is being reviewed.

“The NEET-UG is a sui generis examination on account of a multitude of factors… There are over 22 lakh registered candidates, with a majority of rural candidates and women,” the Ministry said.

The Ministry said the “final approach” over the change to computer based testing (CBT) would be taken only after considering the recommendations of the newly-formed high-powered task force chaired by Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani.

The government hailed the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act of 2026 and the forming of the task force under Mr. Nilekani as “landmark measures” against future paper leaks.

Any structural change in the design of the NEET-UG will be undertaken only in consultation with, and with the concurrence of, the Health Ministry and the National Medical Commission, the government said.

“The Union of India also remains committed to providing candidates with adequate advance notice of any change in the mode or design of the examination, so that any transition may be smooth, equitable and free of avoidable stress to the candidates,” the Ministry assured.

The government said it was creating an “institutional memory” bank drawn from experiences after every public examination.

A formal “Learnings Note” is prepared recording the challenges encountered, the actions taken and the practices to be carried forward, the government said.

“In order to ensure specialist testing, psychometric, information technology, cyber security and operational expertise required for the conduct of national examinations are available in-house and on a continuing basis, senior professional appointments have been notified across the ten functional verticals,” the affidavit said.