Quick Facts
- State governments backed a full shift to Computer-Based Exams at a September 1, 2026 meeting.
- The Nilekani panel pitched end-to-end digitisation of NTA tests, with government centres as a key demand.
- Public feedback on the reforms stays open till September 13, 2026, before the panel finalises advice.
In This Article
State governments have unanimously backed a shift to Computer-Based Exams for entrance tests, at a September 1, 2026 meeting with the Nandan Nilekani-led High-Powered Task Force (HPTF).
The panel pitched computer-based testing with end-to-end digitisation, according to reports from the meeting. States supported the idea but flagged a serious shortage of quality government-run testing centres, warning that heavy reliance on a few private vendors leaves the system exposed.
Key Takeaways
- States agree on Computer-Based Exams in principle, but want the government to own more testing infrastructure directly.
- Concentration of testing capacity in one or two private firms is now the states’ single biggest worry.
- A Centrally Sponsored Scheme could fund government-run CBT centres in schools, colleges and universities nationwide.
CampusFeed Take
The headline is agreement, but the real story is who owns the pipes. States saying yes to Computer-Based Exams was the easy part; nobody defends the leak-prone OMR system anymore. The hard part is building a government-owned centre network before the 2027 NEET-UG cycle, so that testing capacity does not sit with one or two private firms. Watch the funding model closest. If a Centrally Sponsored Scheme clears quickly, KV and JNV campuses could become the backbone of a national CBT grid within a year. If it stalls, the centre shortage becomes the next flashpoint. By CampusFeed Desk.
Key Dates and Numbers at a Glance
The reform push runs on a tight consultation timeline before the HPTF submits its recommendations. The table below sets out the key markers.
| Marker | Detail |
|---|---|
| States meeting on CBT | September 1, 2026 |
| Public feedback deadline | September 13, 2026 |
| Task force size | Six members, chaired by Nandan Nilekani |
| NTA exams already on CBT | 7 of 8 major entrance tests |
| Proposed CBT centre network | About 400 to 500 government centres |
| Target testing capacity | Around 2 to 2.5 Lakh candidates per session |
The standout number is the centre target. A network of 400 to 500 government centres would give roughly 2 to 2.5 Lakh testing seats in a single session, the Radhakrishnan committee estimated.
About the High-Powered Task Force
The High-Powered Task Force (HPTF) is a six-member panel set up by the government in July 2026 to reform India’s public examination system. It is chaired by Infosys co-founder and former UIDAI (Unique Identification Authority of India) chairman Nandan Nilekani. The task force examines the conduct, security, design and governance of exams run by the NTA (National Testing Agency), plus infrastructure, accessibility and student well-being, before recommending a new model to the government.
Who Does the Shift to Computer-Based Exams Apply To?
The reforms cover public examinations conducted by the NTA (National Testing Agency), the body that runs India’s largest entrance tests. Seven of the eight major NTA entrance exams have already moved to computer-based testing with multi-session, multi-day schedules, including JEE Main (Joint Entrance Examination), CUET-UG (Common University Entrance Test), UGC-NET and CSIR-NET, the Centre told the Supreme Court in an affidavit. NEET-UG (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test) is the one large exam still on pen and paper, and it is slated to move to CBT from the 2027 cycle.
“The root cause of this is Optical Mark Recognition (OMR) based examination. From next year, the NEET examination will happen in CBT mode,” Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said.
Because NEET-UG draws over 22 Lakh candidates a year, its move to CBT is the toughest test of the new centre network. States backing the shift signals broad political agreement, but the transition still depends on centre readiness on the ground.
Why Government Testing Centres Are the Real Hurdle
The main obstacle to Computer-Based Exams is not agreement, it is infrastructure. At the September 1 meeting, several states raised concern that quality testing centres are too few, and that too much of the country’s CBT capacity rests with just one or two private firms, reports from the meeting said. Server issues, power cuts and sub-standard centres have caused exam-day problems in the past.
To fix this, a Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) could help set up government-run testing centres across states, both from scratch and inside existing government schools, colleges and institutes. The Radhakrishnan committee earlier recommended that Kendriya Vidyalayas and Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas be converted into CBT centres, building a network of about 400 to 500 centres within a year. Schools, in turn, gain quality digital infrastructure they can reuse.
What This Means For You
If you are a student
If you sit NEET-UG, JEE Main or CUET, expect a computer-based format with multiple shifts and a normalisation process that adjusts scores across sessions. Practise on free mock CBT interfaces before your exam. You can also send your suggestions on the reforms to the task force before September 13, 2026.
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If you are a parent
The shift to Computer-Based Exams aims to cut paper leaks and cancellations that have caused real anxiety for families. Watch for official centre lists closer to exam dates, since centre location and travel distance may change under the new government-run network being planned.
If you are a school principal or college owner
If your campus has strong digital infrastructure, it may qualify as a government CBT centre under the proposed Centrally Sponsored Scheme. This can bring funded computer labs and reliable connectivity to your institution. Track the task force’s final recommendations for eligibility and the revenue-sharing terms.
If you work in policy or media
The unresolved question is ownership of testing capacity. Follow whether the government funds public centres fast enough to reduce dependence on a few private vendors before the 2027 NEET-UG cycle. You can read the panel’s consultation scope on the official public consultation announcement.
What Is Next
The task force will use public and state inputs to finalise its recommendations, which will then go to the government. Key upcoming markers:
- September 13, 2026: last date for public feedback to the HPTF.
- 2027 cycle: NEET-UG scheduled to move to computer-based testing.
If states own more of the testing network, does that make future exams safer for your family? Share your view with the task force before the window closes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Last updated: September 03, 2026 at 09:39 IST
Last verified: September 03, 2026
Disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes only and is based on publicly available information at the time of publishing. Exam dates, cutoffs, fees, deadlines, eligibility criteria, and scholarship details can change without notice. Always verify the latest information from the official portal of the relevant body (NTA, Ministry of Education, or the state education department) before taking any action. CampusFeed and its authors are not responsible for decisions made based on this article. This is not legal, financial, or career advice. Please consult a qualified professional for individual guidance.
Written by CampusFeed Desk. Published: September 03, 2026. Updated: September 03, 2026. Have a tip or correction? Write to us at editorial@campusfeed.in.
