The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test for Undergraduate courses (NEET UG) will be conducted as a computer-based test (CBT) from 2027, with the examination expected to be held over at least six days across more than 1,000 centres nationwide, according to sources.
The revamped format marks a major shift for India’s largest undergraduate entrance examination, which is taken by nearly 25 lakh aspirants annually for admission to MBBS and other medical courses. Authorities are finalising the implementation plan, with centres expected to be selected only after strict scrutiny of their infrastructure and credibility.
The decision follows the Centre’s push for examination reforms after the 2024 NEET paper leak controversy. While the idea of moving to an online format had been discussed for years by the Education and Health Ministries, the controversy accelerated the transition from the traditional pen-and-paper mode.
The National Testing Agency (NTA), which conducts NEET, currently facilitates admissions to around 1.08 lakh MBBS seats, including nearly 56,000 in government medical colleges and about 52,000 in private institutions. NEET scores are also used for admissions to undergraduate courses in Dentistry, Ayurveda, Unani and Siddha.
The proposed CBT format is expected to follow a model similar to the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE), with candidates appearing on different days at designated centres. A detailed roadmap is still being prepared as authorities work to ensure secure and transparent conduct of the examination.
The reforms are based on recommendations of a high-level committee headed by former ISRO chairman K. Radhakrishnan, constituted by the Union Education Ministry in June 2024 to strengthen the integrity and efficiency of national entrance examinations.
