Why NEET 2025 Exam in Pen-and-Paper Mode? Here's What NMC Says

New Delhi: Explaining why the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test exam is being conducted in pen-and-paper mode, a top official at the National Medical Commission (NMC) informed Education Times that before switching to the Computer-Based Test mode, the students must be it is necessary to ensure that proper infrastructure is in place, students are prepared mentally for the new format and to ease the pressure on the students.

As per the Chairman of the National Medical Commission (NMC) Dr BN Gangadhar, in the CBT mode, the exam will be conducted in multiple shifts and multiple question papers, which could result in logistical issues. Further, lakhs of computers will be required and the candidates, especially those belonging to rural and remote areas will need to get comfortable with the new pattern.

Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that despite the earlier speculations of switching to the CBT mode for the NEET UG exam, recently the National Testing Agency (NTA) announced that the exam will not be conducted in hybrid mode but it will be held in pen and paper mode in a single day and single shift.

NTA issued this clarification while issuing a notice on 16th January 2025 after NMC took its decision in this regard. "As decided by National Medical Commission (NMC), it is informed that the NEET (UG)-2025 shall be conducted in Pen and Paper mode (OMR based) in Single day and Single Shift," NTA mentioned in the order dated 16.01.2025.

Also Read: Will NEET 2025 Exam be Held Online or Pen-Paper Format? High-Level Committee Sheds Light

This clarification was issued after the High-Level Committee set up to suggest reforms in the National Eligibility-Entrance Test Undergraduate (NEET-UG) examination and the National Testing Agency (NTA), had earlier recommended introducing some major changes in conducting the NEET exam such as holding the exam online or through hybrid mode (when online mode is not possible to implement), not opting for private exam centres, shifting to a 2-phase exam pattern for NEET, and introducing a restriction to the number of attempts to appear in the NEET UG examination.

However, NTA clarified that the exam will be conducted in the pen-and-paper mode. Speaking to Education Times in this regard, NMC Chairman Dr BN Gangadhar said, "We expect about 25-30 lakh students to take the exam, and thousands of these students are from rural and remote areas. Three primary concerns must be addressed before conducting the exam in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode. First, to accommodate all students in the (CBT) mode, the exam must be conducted in multiple sessions over several days to cover all students. Infrastructure must be in place for such a large-scale exam, which can happen only in select city areas. Second, we must keep in mind that adolescents primarily take this test, and they are well-versed in offline mode. In the CBT mode, one question appears at a time, and students need time to prepare mentally for the new format. Third, in a single-day test, all examinees are given the same question paper. The relative ranking is uniform, and aspirants have no anxiety about their ranks. In the CBT mode, there are multiple sets of questions, an average candidate may not understand the pattern and that might cause stress and anxiety."

He pointed out that even though there are several merits to the CBT mode exam and the results can be declared within a short period of time, Dr. Gangadhar added, "However, there are a few issues that need to be sorted. We have to prepare candidates for the CBT mode as the NEET UG exam in 2026 will be conducted in multiple stages; with computer-based normalisation, it will give them ample time to get used to the new format."

Opining that with less than four months left for the exam, it would be unfair to ask the students to switch it to the CBT mode, a Health Ministry official mentioned on the condition of anonymity, "Conducting the exam in the CBT mode will require 25 shifts and multiple question papers, which could be a logistical nightmare. Furthermore, there will be a requirement of several lakh computers. Candidates will also need time to acclimatise to the new pattern, especially those from rural and remote areas. Furthermore, it could be difficult for students to grasp the normalisation process. In NEET PG 2024, the exam was conducted in two shifts; candidates were unhappy with the results and claimed that one paper was easier. It will not be easy to normalise scores over 25 sessions. Students must get time to acclimatise to the new mode."

Meanwhile, the Dean of Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore, Dr B Unnikrishnan opined that by holding the exam in a traditional format, all students can participate without any obstacles, regardless of their familiarity with technology or the availability of resources.

"All candidates sit for the exam under identical conditions. This consistency helps minimise variations in performance that could arise from factors such as the time of day or differing exam conditions. It streamlines the management of the examination process, including aspects like scheduling, staffing, and resource distribution. As a result, it contributes to a more orderly examination environment. A single-day exam creates substantial pressure. Suppose a student struggles on that day due to factors like anxiety, illness, or exhaustion. In that case, they will have to wait a full year for the next opportunity to retake the exam," he said.

He also suggested using the encrypted methods for sending question papers to the exam centres to avoid leaks before the exam, restricting access to exam locations, and enforcing stringent security measures to deter unauthorised entry. Apart from this, installing CCTV cameras in exam halls, setting up a rigorous code of conduct for everyone involved in the exam and collaborating with independent third-party organisations to review the exam procedures and verify the results, offering an impartial system evaluation.

Also Read: Not hybrid, NEET 2025 to be Conducted in Pen and Paper Mode in a Single Day, Shift