New Delhi : This is not the first time that a security breach in conduction of NEET UG exam has taken place. Even in 2024, an alleged paper leak was reported due to which the number of toppers had inflated. In 2024, many students had lost their hard-earned marks due to disruptions caused by the National Testing Agency’s framework, and since then aspirants and experts have been demanding that the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test, Undergraduate (NEET UG) exam should be shifted to online mode, rather than conducting it in offline mode.
As the questions around paper leak continue to increase, it is being hinted that this time the Ministry of Education (MoE) and NTA might listen to students’ demands. As per NTA sources, transition to computer based testing / hybrid testing model is pending for approval from Health Ministry.
After the 2024 alleged paper leak, a committee was constituted by Government of India to overhaul exam security framework. This K Radhakrishnan-led expert panel had suggested 95 anti-malpractice measures, of which one of the proposed measures was to shift the exam from Pen & Paper Tests (PPT) to hybrid Computer-Based Testing (CBT) model. Even though it’s been two years since the NEET UG 2025 chaos, experts are saying that these key exam reform recommendations still not implemented.
NTA sources have told Times Now that an approval on this is still pending from the Health Ministry. Another alternate model suggested is that questions can be delivered digitally to candidates, and answers can be marked by students on OMR sheets. Experts believe that this hybrid variant can reduce vulnerabilities in both CBT and PPT format.
The expert committee had also recommended pilot testing before nationwide rollout, but the same has not been implemented yet. Another suggestion, that is still pending for implementation is, setting up a High-Powered Steering Committee to oversee implementation. Committee had also suggested multi-session testing spread over typically a few days to a couple of weeks, for NEET UG.
Experts are also suggesting that such high-stakes exams should eb conducted like elections, with active involvement of state governments.
The Radhakrishnan panel had also recommended major overhaul of National Testing Agency (NTA) structure:
– Called for empowered and accountable Governing Body to run NTA
– Three key sub-committees proposed:
- Test Audit, Ethics & Transparency
- Nomination & Staff Conditions
- Stakeholder Relationships
– Push for domain experts to lead NTA, not generalist administration
– Dedicated, skilled leadership to take full charge of testing processes
– NTA’s core role to remain entrance examinations only
– Expansion to other exams only after capacity is strengthened
– Director General post to be upgraded as officer of Additional Secretary rank under Central Staffing Scheme
– Structural revamp proposed with 10 specialised verticals. Each vertical to be headed by Director-level officials
– Two Additional Director Generals to supervise operations
- ADG-1: Technology, products, and operations verticals
- ADG-2: Test security and surveillance verticals
NTA cancelled NEET UG 2026 exam on May 12 (Tuesday) after it was alleged that there has been a paper leak in the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test, Undergraduate (NEET UG) 2026 exam. This announcement was made by the NTA through their official ‘X’ account.
