Education Ministry Seeks Supreme Court Nod for Shifting NEET‑UG to Computer‑Based Testing

The Education Ministry has informed the Supreme Court that the shift of NEET‑UG from pen‑and‑paper to CBT is under active consideration by all stakeholders. The affidavit, dated 4 August 2026, is the first government filing after Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned over the 2026 paper leaks. Key Developments The government is reviewing a single‑stage or two‑stage CBT model similar to the JEE (Mains & Advanced) pattern. Any decision will follow recommendations of the newly‑formed task force chaired by Nandan Nilekani . The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act of 2026 and the Nilekani task force are hailed as landmark measures against future leaks. Structural changes will be made only after consultation with the Health Ministry and the National Medical Commission . The Union promises advance notice to candidates to ensure a smooth, equitable transition. Important Facts • Over 22 lakh candidates register for NEET‑UG each year, with a large share from rural areas and women. • The affidavit mentions creation of an “institutional memory” bank to capture learnings after every public exam. • A formal “Learnings Note” will document challenges, actions taken, and best practices. • Senior professional appointments across ten functional verticals have been notified to secure expertise in psychometrics, IT, cyber‑security, and operations. UPSC Relevance Understanding this development is crucial for GS 2 (Health & Governance) and GS 3 (Science & Technology). Aspirants should note how policy responses to exam leaks intersect with administrative reforms, digital transformation of assessments, and the role of high‑level committees in shaping education policy. Way Forward The Ministry will await the task force’s final report before presenting a concrete proposal to the Supreme Court. If approved, a phased rollout of CBT is expected, accompanied by extensive capacity‑building for exam centres, robust cyber‑security measures, and clear communication to candidates. Continuous monitoring and the institutional memory system will aim to prevent repeat leaks and ensure fairness in the nation’s most important medical entrance exam.