Education Ministry reviews plan to hold NEET-UG in computer-based mode

NEET-UG is also one of the largest entrance examinations in the country, with over 23 lakh candidates appearing in 2024 and around 21 lakh in 2025.

The Ministry of Education is conducting a detailed data analysis to explore the possibility of shifting the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test for Undergraduates (NEET-UG) to an online mode. Officials have confirmed that the National Testing Agency (NTA) is examining whether a computer-based test can be introduced in the coming years.

Since its introduction, the National Testing Agency has been conducting the NEET-UG exam in pen-and-paper mode till now. The national level exam is also gateway for admission to MBBS, BDS, and allied health science.

NEET UG is also one of the largest entrance examinations in the country, with over 23 lakh candidates appearing in 2024 and around 21 lakh in 2025.

A former Director of AIIMS, New Delhi on condition of anonymity said that while online exams are seen as a way to bring more efficiency and transparency, the sheer scale of NEET-UG poses formidable challenges. Conducting a test of this size in computer-based mode would require thousands of centres equipped with reliable internet connectivity, adequate computer systems, and uninterrupted power backup. Authorities are also concerned about ensuring uniformity across rural and urban regions, given the digital divide.

Another issue is fairness in case multiple slots are introduced to accommodate such large numbers. The former Director of AIIMS said that the normalization of scores and ensuring comparable difficulty levels across sessions could become contentious issues if exam goes online.

“There are also concerns around NEET exam security, data breaches, and the possibility of technical failures, which remain significant hurdles,” he said.

Looking at these challenges and the sheer number of exam takers, a full transition to online mode may take time for exam to be conducted online. As per some of the medical education experts suggest that if implemented, the shift is unlikely before 2026, and may begin with pilot projects to test readiness before a nationwide rollout.

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