NEET UG to Go Computer-Based from 2027 After Paper Leak Scandal

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan announced on Friday, May 15, 2026, that the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test Undergraduate (NEET UG) will transition to a Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode starting from the 2027 examination cycle. This significant overhaul comes in the wake of a major paper leak controversy surrounding the NEET UG 2026 examination, which was initially held on May 3, 2026. Pradhan explicitly stated that the shift from the traditional OMR (Optical Mark Recognition) based pen-and-paper format to CBT is a direct response to the irregularities and malpractices observed, aiming to strengthen the integrity and transparency of one of India's largest and most crucial entrance examinations. The NEET UG 2026 exam, taken by approximately 23.30 lakh candidates, was cancelled by the National Testing Agency (NTA) on May 12, 2026, following allegations of a widespread paper leak and other irregularities. Reports indicated that a 'guess paper' containing questions identical to the actual exam paper had circulated on WhatsApp groups weeks before the scheduled test. Investigations by the Higher Education Department, in coordination with state agencies, confirmed by May 12 that the examination questions had indeed been compromised under the guise of study material or guess papers. Addressing the media, Minister Pradhan conveyed the government's "zero tolerance towards malpractices" and emphasized that no deserving student would be deprived of their rightful opportunity due to the actions of fraudulent individuals or the "education mafia." To ensure justice for the affected students, the National Testing Agency (NTA) has scheduled a re-examination for NEET UG 2026 on Sunday, June 21, 2026. This re-examination will, however, still be conducted in the offline, pen-and-paper mode, with the computer-based format being implemented from NEET UG 2027 onwards. Several student-centric measures have been announced for the upcoming re-test. Candidates will not be required to pay any additional fees for the re-examination, and the fees for the cancelled attempt will be refunded. Furthermore, students will be given the option to choose their preferred examination city for the re-test, with admit cards expected to be released by June 14. The duration of the re-examination will also be extended by an additional 15 minutes, allowing candidates a total of 3 hours and 15 minutes to complete the paper, starting from 2 PM and concluding at 5:15 PM. The gravity of the paper leak led the government to hand over the investigation to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which has already initiated action. The CBI's mandate is to conduct a comprehensive inquiry into the entire chain of events, identify the breach of command, and ensure that no one involved in the malpractice is spared. This probe aims to delve deep into the network responsible for the leak, including suspected multi-state involvement, with arrests already reported in states like Rajasthan and Maharashtra. The decision to shift to CBT mode was influenced by the understanding that the OMR-based examination system presented vulnerabilities that could be exploited by the 'education mafia'. Pradhan acknowledged that despite implementing recommendations from the Radhakrishnan Committee—formed after a previous NEET-UG controversy in 2024 to strengthen the NTA—the incident still occurred. This highlights the perceived need for a more robust and secure examination methodology, which CBT is expected to provide. The minister also cautioned against the spread of misinformation on social media and urged students to rely only on official channels for updates. This entire episode has sparked nationwide outrage among students and parents, leading to protests by various student groups demanding accountability and stricter safeguards to prevent future leaks. The government's swift actions and the announced reforms underscore its commitment to restoring public confidence in the integrity of national competitive examinations. The transition to a computer-based format from 2027 marks a significant step towards a more secure and technologically advanced future for medical entrance examinations in India.

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