NEET 2027 to shift to computer-based test: NTA asks AICTE to identify exam centres

New Delhi: In a major step toward overhauling the country's medical entrance examination system, the National Testing Agency (NTA) has initiated the process of shifting NEET UG to a Computer-Based Test (CBT) starting in 2027.

To ensure maximum security and logistical efficiency, the NTA has partnered with the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) to map available IT infrastructure across government institutions nationwide.

Speaking to PTI, the officials informed, "The National Testing Agency (NTA) has asked the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) to collect information from government institutions on their IT infrastructure and available space to develop testing centres for computer-based examinations for NEET-UG next year."

The AICTE has further asked its affiliated government institutes to provide details of their available information technology infrastructure and vacant or unutilised spaces for an assessment related to the establishment of Standard Testing Centres (STCs) across the country.

"The centres of CBT cannot be outsourced to small private players and have to be chosen after assessment on strict parameters. AICTE, being the technical education regulator, has a lot of tech colleges which are equipped with the infrastructure," a senior NTA official informed PTI

The move comes amid the ongoing overhaul of the NTA - the nodal autonomous body that conducts NEET UG and other entrance tests for higher educational institutions - after the paper leak earlier this year.

Following the paper leak, which led to nationwide outrage, the Centre announced that the medical entrance exam, NEET-UG, will be conducted in CBT mode from 2027 instead of a pen-and-paper-based test.

"NTA conducts various national-level exams in CBT mode. With the progressive migration of examination modes and the requirement for a wider geographically distributed network of testing centres, NTA is assessing the availability of suitable infrastructure in government institutions across the country," the AICTE said in a letter to heads of institutions.

AICTE has clarified that the information is being sought only from government colleges and institutions that have received approval from the council. The institutions have been directed to ensure that all details submitted are accurate, complete and properly verified by the competent authority concerned before submission, adds PTI

The technical education regulator has also shared a format with the institutions, asking them to provide details of the number of functional computers available and other IT infrastructure, networking and internet connectivity, availability of power backup, CCTV and related facilities. Details about vacant space have also been sought.

NEET paper leak

The NEET UG 2026 exam was conducted on May 3 by the National Testing Agency and was held from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM in pen-and-paper mode. Over 22.7 lakh aspirants appeared for the examination this year. It took place across 551 cities in India and 14 cities abroad, covering over 5,400 centres.

However, on May 12, 2026, the NTA declared the examination held on May 3 as cancelled and subsequently announced a re-examination on June 21, 2026.

This came in the backdrop of the probe by the Rajasthan Police Special Operations Group, which reportedly found a “guess paper” containing more than 100 questions similar to those asked in the NEET UG examination. The question paper series under scrutiny has been described as a “guess paper” which reportedly contained around 410 questions. Out of these, nearly 120 questions are alleged to have appeared in the Biology and Chemistry sections of the examination.

In the aftermath of the exam cancellation, protests were held, with aspirants and members of the medical fraternity condemning NTA and the Education Ministry for the failure.

Due to the alleged controversy, the central government decided to refer the matter to the Central Bureau of Investigation for a comprehensive inquiry into the allegations. Based on the Centre's direction, the CBI registered an FIR in the case and so far arrested 13 people.