NEET shift to computer-based test under active consideration, final decision after panel recommendations: Centre tells SC, lists measures

The submission came in response to a petition filed by the Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA) through advocate Tanvi Dubey after the cancellation of NEET-UG 2026 over paper leak allegations. The petition sought the replacement or fundamental restructuring of the National Testing Agency (NTA), the conduct of a fresh NEET-UG 2026 examination under judicial supervision, the constitution of a High-Powered Monitoring Committee, and the introduction of examination reforms, including stronger security measures and a shift to computer-based testing (CBT).

The Union Government said NEET UG is the only major examination conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) that is still held in pen-and-paper mode. It pointed out that the NTA has already shifted seven of its eight major examinations, including JEE (Main), CUET (UG), CUET (PG), UGC-NET and CSIR-NET, to a computer-based format conducted over multiple sessions and days.

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At the same time, the centre pointed out that NEET (UG) is a sui generis examination on account of a multitude of factors, including its scale, spread, spectrum of candidates, the wide and diverse spectrum of options contingent on the rank upon passing (ranging from MBBS, Dental, Ayush, Nursing and the fee structure). More than 22 lakh candidates register for the examination every year, with a majority coming from rural areas and a large number being women candidates.

"That, in respect of NEET (UG), the migration from the Pen-and-Paper mode to a Computer-Based mode, whether in a single-stage or a two-stage examination on the pattern of the Joint Entrance Examination (Mains and Advanced), is presently under active consideration by all stakeholders. The Union of India respectfully submits that the final approach will be adopted after considering, and with the benefit of, the recommendations of the High-Powered Task Force under the chairmanship of Shri Nandan Nilekani... The composition of the Task Force, with domain expertise drawn from technology, space, intelligence, academia and public administration, ensures a rigorous and holistic examination of the technological, security, equity, infrastructure and pedagogic dimensions of the transition," the affidavit mentioned. 

In view of the fact that NEET (UG) is conducted on behalf of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, which acts as the Test Indenting Agency, and that the National Medical Commission is the apex regulator, any structural change in the design of NEET (UG) will be undertaken only in structured consultation and concurrence of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the National Medical Commission, under the National Medical Commission Act, 2019.

"The Union of India also remains committed to providing candidates with adequate advance notice of any change in the mode or design of the examination, so that any transition may be smooth, equitable and free of avoidable stress to the candidates," the affidavit stated. 

Measures Taken by the Union of India

In its affidavit, the Centre said that before detailing the specific measures taken for the conduct of NEET (UG), it had already put in place two major institutional reforms with far-reaching implications for ensuring the integrity of national examinations. This includes the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024 and the High-Powered Task Force.

It stated that the Government enacted the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, which specifically criminalises offences such as question paper leaks, candidate impersonation, tampering with computer networks and resources, and other examination malpractices. Under the Act, such offences are punishable with imprisonment of up to 10 years and a fine of up to ₹1 crore.

The Centre further informed the Court that, through a notification dated July 27, 2026, it had constituted a High-Powered Task Force on Examination Reforms under the chairmanship of Nandan Nilekani, co-founder of Infosys and the principal architect of the Aadhaar programme. According to the affidavit, the task force was mandated to review, recommend and guide the implementation of end-to-end reforms in examinations conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA).

Its mandate includes leveraging advanced technologies, strengthening security and integrity protocols, designing a globally benchmarked examination system and preparing a time-bound roadmap for implementing these reforms. The task force was directed to submit its recommendations within three months of its constitution.

Regarding the security measures taken during the NEET 2026 re-examination on June 21, 2026, the government said that a total of 1,38,560 ССTV cameras were installed across more than 95,000 examination rooms, 51,311 signal jammers were deployed and 87,000 personnel were deployed for frisking and biometric verification.

The affidavit also detailed the extensive security measures currently in place for NEET-UG, including multiple question paper sets prepared in isolation, six layers of tamper-proof packaging, and QR code and Aadhaar-based tracking of every question paper box.

The government also outlined a 10-stage security protocol covering question paper setting, printing, transportation, storage, and evaluation. According to the affidavit, the system ensures that no single individual has unsupervised access to the examination process and incorporates tamper-proof packaging, CCTV surveillance, armed escorts, and digital tracking of both question papers and OMR sheets.

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