NEET – Parliamentary Panel Calls for Phased Medical Entrance Tests

NEET – The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education has advised the National Testing Agency (NTA) to consider conducting the NEET-UG examination in multiple phases, with separate dates for different states. The suggestion is aimed at easing the operational pressure created by holding one of India’s largest entrance tests nationwide on a single day.

The committee also said that any move to shift the undergraduate medical entrance examination entirely to a computer-based format should be taken only after reliable digital infrastructure is available across the country. Members stressed that students from all regions must have equal access to testing facilities before such a transition is introduced.

Committee reviews NEET-UG 2026 preparations

The discussion took place during the committee’s first meeting under its new chairperson, Mukul Wasnik, at Parliament House on Wednesday. The session focused on preparations for NEET-UG 2026 and the reforms being considered to improve the examination process.

Senior officials attending the meeting included Higher Education Secretary Vineet Joshi, NTA Director General Abhishek Singh, and K. Radhakrishnan. Radhakrishnan had earlier led a seven-member panel formed after concerns surrounding the NEET-UG 2024 paper leak controversy.

According to people familiar with the meeting, the committee sought detailed information about the NEET re-examination conducted earlier. NTA representatives reportedly explained the security measures adopted for the test and described the steps taken to organise the re-exam within a limited time frame.

Security and transparency remain central concerns

Officials also briefed the panel on measures intended to prevent the spread of exam-related material through social media platforms during the re-examination. The agency said these steps helped ensure that the test was completed without any reported leak.

After reviewing the NTA presentation, committee members acknowledged the agency’s efforts but said further reforms were necessary. The panel discussed ways to improve security, transparency and administrative efficiency in future medical entrance examinations.

Wasnik said a report based on the committee’s deliberations would be issued later. The report is expected to outline recommendations that could strengthen the conduct of NEET and reduce concerns among students, parents and institutions.

Proposal for separate medical entrance tests

Members also discussed whether separate entrance examinations could be held for MBBS, AYUSH and nursing programmes. The proposal was raised as a possible way to reduce the number of candidates appearing in a single examination.

At present, admissions to these courses are largely based on NEET scores. NTA officials informed the committee that introducing separate tests for the three streams would not be practical at this stage because the existing admission system depends on one common examination.

The committee maintained that phased examinations could help reduce crowding at test centres, lower logistical risks and make it easier for authorities to manage security arrangements. However, no final decision on changing the NEET format has been announced.

Computer-based NEET requires wider readiness

The panel further underlined that a computer-based NEET should not be introduced until the country has sufficient infrastructure to support it. Members noted that access to computers, internet connectivity and secure examination centres varies widely across regions.

They said the NTA must complete all required preparations well in advance and ensure that candidates from rural, remote and underserved areas are not placed at a disadvantage.

NEET-PG scheduled for August 30

Meanwhile, the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences has announced that the NEET-PG examination will be held on August 30. The board said test centre allocation will not follow a first-come, first-served system.

The NEET-PG question format has also been revised. The examination will include 180 multiple-choice questions divided into five sections of 36 questions each. Candidates will not be allowed to return to a completed section once its time limit has ended.