The Ministry of Education is building a national plan to move NEET-UG from pen and paper to computer-based testing. NEET-UG is the medical entrance exam for undergraduate seats. The final call awaits the Nandan Nilekani task force report.
About 22 lakh students sit the exam each year. For a rural student in a Tier-3 town, this is the worry. A computer-based test needs a working screen, steady power and internet.
The 2025 exam stayed on paper for that reason. A senior Ministry of Education official confirmed the new plan to news agency PTI on September 30, 2026.
The official spoke on condition of anonymity. The strategy will use a multi-model sourcing architecture to build test centres.
What is the NEET CBT infrastructure plan?
The plan is a national strategy to build examination-grade computer centres across India. CBT means computer-based test. The Ministry of Education wants to close the geographic gap in centre availability.
It also wants to standardise centre-level specifications. The Centre has already said the exam moves to CBT mode from next year. This infrastructure step makes that shift possible.
Why is NEET-UG moving from pen and paper to online?
The main reason is the 2024 paper leak. The leak forced a Supreme Court hearing and a retest. The court told the Centre to fix the NTA.
NTA is the National Testing Agency, the body that conducts the exam. A computer-based test is harder to leak. It also allows faster result processing.
Who decides if NEET goes online in 2026?
The final decision rests with the Nandan Nilekani task force. This High-Powered Task Force was set up in July 2026. Nandan Nilekani is the former chairman of UIDAI, the Aadhaar body.
The panel has not yet submitted its report. It has consulted K Radhakrishnan, the former ISRO chief. The government will act only after the report arrives.
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What did the Radhakrishnan Committee recommend for CBT?
The Radhakrishnan Committee proposed a network of 500 CBT centres within one year. The committee was set up in June 2024. It submitted 101 recommendations in October 2024.
It said Kendriya Vidyalayas and Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas should become test centres. The aim is one standardised centre in every district. These are government schools with existing computer labs.
Which exams does NTA already conduct online?
NTA already runs several big exams in CBT mode. These include JEE-Main for engineering and CUET-UG and PG for university admission. It also conducts UGC-NET and CSIR-UGC-NET online.
The medical entrance test is the major exception. It has stayed on paper because of its scale. Once the centres are ready, the plan is to move all entrance exams online.
Why the digital divide is the real test for NEET CBT
The biggest risk is not the technology. It is the student who has never used a mouse. The Health Ministry has warned that CBT may disadvantage rural and poor students.
In 2025 the ministry kept the exam on paper, citing rural students. Experts say the shift is feasible. Its success will depend on verified capacity, security and equal access.
Will a rural NEET student get a centre near home?
Not yet confirmed. The Radhakrishnan Committee wants one CBT centre per district. That target dates from its 2024 report and is not yet built. Until the centres exist, a rural student may still travel far.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will NEET-UG move to computer-based testing?
The Centre has said NEET-UG will move to CBT mode from next year. A national CBT infrastructure plan is being built to support the shift. The final decision awaits the Nandan Nilekani task force report, which is not yet submitted.
What does CBT mode mean for a NEET student?
CBT means computer-based test. In CBT mode a student answers on a computer screen at a test centre, not on an OMR sheet. NTA already runs JEE-Main, CUET and UGC-NET in this mode.
Why did the 2025 medical exam stay on pen and paper?
The 2025 exam stayed on pen and paper because of infrastructure and access concerns. The Health Ministry warned that a computer-based test could disadvantage rural and poor students. The Ministry of Education chose the offline mode for that cycle.
Who is on the task force deciding the CBT shift?
The High-Powered Task Force is headed by Nandan Nilekani, former chairman of UIDAI. It was set up in July 2026 to recommend reforms for NTA exams. It has consulted former ISRO chief K Radhakrishnan.
How many students take NEET-UG each year?
About 22 lakh students take NEET-UG each year. It is the largest entrance exam in India by candidate numbers. NTA conducts it for admission to undergraduate medical seats.
Last verified: October 1, 2026
Disclaimer: Dates, exam mode and centre plans can change without notice. Check with the Ministry of Education and NTA before you act.
