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Last month, the Centre-appointed expert panel had recommended major reforms in conducting the entrance exam, including a fully online or hybrid mode as well as a multi-tier system for NEET-UG.
Candidates for NEET-UG 2024 check the notice board for their allotted seats at the examination centre. (Image: PTI/File)
Moving away from the entrance exam reforms recommended by the Centre-appointed expert panel, the National Testing Agency on Thursday said it will continue to conduct the exams. NEET-UG in pen-and-paper mode On the same day and in one shift in 2025.
The move assumes significance as the National Entrance-cum-Eligibility Test (Undergraduate), or NEET-UG, last year was hit by major allegations of irregularities and leaks, putting the future of lakhs of candidates at stake. The controversy led to a delay of at least two months in the counseling process for seat allotment.
Last month, an expert panel appointed by the central government released its report recommending major reforms In conducting entrance examinations including NEET-UG. These recommendations include making the test completely online or hybrid (if online mode was not possible) as well as a multi-tier system for NEET-UG.
In June last year, the Center had appointed a seven-member committee headed by former ISRO chief K Radhakrishnan to suggest reforms for transparent and error-free conduct of entrance exams.
‘National Medical Commission took decision on pen-paper mode’
According to the notification issued by the National Testing Agency (NTA), the National Medical Commission (NMC) decided to conduct NEET-UG “in pen and paper mode (OMR based) on a single day and in one shift”.
Since 2019, NTA has been conducting NEET-UG on behalf of NMC. As per Section 14 of the NMC Act, 2019, NEET-UG is conducted as a common entrance examination for admission to undergraduate medical education in all medical institutions. The commission then conducts the counseling process (allocation of seats) in medical colleges on the basis of NEET score.
Government officials said that NMC has taken this decision, over which NTA has no authority. The testing agency is an autonomous body under the Ministry of Education (MOE) that conducts at least 15 major all-India entrance exams including NEET-UG, JEE-Main and UGC-NET.
On January 14, NTA issued an advisory for candidates applying for NEET-UG 2025 Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry (APAAR) ID For registration to increase transparency, efficiency and security. It urged candidates to use both this ID as well as Aadhaar-based authentication during the application and examination process.
The decision raises concerns over promised reforms
NTA’s announcement led to students and educational bodies raising concerns over the conduct of the examination.
Keshav Agarwal, president of the Educators Society and member of the Coaching Federation of India, said the notification raises questions on the reforms promised amid much anticipation of a fair system, which defeats the purpose of setting up the expert panel.
“Any such reforms suggested have not been reflected in the latest notification, leaving the exam format unchanged. This raises a serious question: If the recommendations of the committee were not implemented then what was the purpose of its formation? The lack of visible reforms has again given rise to concerns about the credibility of the examination system and the accountability of officials responsible for conducting it. For the thousands of students who put in years of hard work to achieve their medical dreams, the absence of meaningful changes is both disappointing and disheartening. It is imperative that NTA and concerned authorities take decisive steps to restore confidence in the examination process and ensure a fair and secure system for all candidates.”
Sumit Sharma, a Delhi-based parent of a Class 12 student, said both candidates and parents were expecting a transparent system of entrance exams to be implemented. “Everyone was waiting for the much-awaited and widely discussed reforms coming from this year. But, the notification suggests that it will not be implemented in the near future. Then, why did the government make tall promises on a cheating-free examination system?” he asked.
What were the panel’s recommendations?
The high level committee panel had submitted its report to the Education Ministry in October last year. Its report titled ‘Reforming the National Entrance Examination in India’ had some key recommendations – computer-based testing (CBT) format for all entrance examinations and hybrid model for those where full online examination cannot be conducted; Digital transfer of question papers in case of hybrid model; Conducting a multi-tier examination for NEET-UG similar to JEE; Reducing the number of subject options in CUET-UG; Hiring permanent personnel instead of temporary employees in NTA; and limiting the number of outsourced/private centers and instead setting up new CBT centers in government-run institutions.
Experts also suggested implementing ‘Digi Pariksha’ similar to ‘Digi Yatra’ to reduce the possibility of impersonation and ensure that the candidate taking the test is the same person who had registered for it. This system should include Aadhaar, biometric verification and AI-based data analytics to authenticate identity at various stages of the examination process.
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