New Delhi: In response to recent controversies surrounding NEET-UG, the national eligibility-cum-entrance test for undergraduate medical studies, the central government is contemplating a significant shift. Sources familiar with the matter indicate that the government is exploring the possibility of transitioning NEET-UG to a computer-based format similar to the JEE-Mains used for engineering admissions.Calls for modernization intensifyA central government official, speaking on condition of anonymity, disclosed, The idea of moving NEET-UG to an online format has been under discussion within the concerned committee. Recent controversies surrounding competitive exams have bolstered the argument for conducting these exams online.Challenges in implementationHowever, another official acknowledged the challenges posed by such a transition, citing the scale of NEET-UG with approximately 2.3 million students appearing for the test in 2024. There are logistical hurdles, including the need to equip over 4,000 test centers across the country with computers and requisite infrastructure, the official remarked.Current offline mode vs. proposed online formatCurrently, NEET-UG is conducted offline, where students use pen and paper to mark their answers on an OMR sheet. If the format is changed to a Computer-Based Test (CBT), aspirants would undertake the exam using computers and mark their responses on a soft answer-sheet.Comparison with JEE-Mains In 2024, JEE-Mains, conducted in a computer-based format across 570 centers, saw 1.4 million participants. Dr. MC Misra, former director at AIIMS, Delhi, supported the shift, emphasizing, Moving NEET-UG online is essential to address vulnerabilities. Sticking to an offline mode in a digital age is impractical. However, meticulous planning, such as phased examinations and regional question papers, will be crucial. The proposed move is currently under review as the Supreme Court considers cases challenging the validity of this years NEET-UG results. The government is expected to make a formal decision after addressing logistical and operational challenges associated with the transition.
