The Centre has announced that it will implement the recommendations put forward by the expert panel regarding the NEET-UG exam reforms. The panel has suggested measures to enhance the transparency of the exam and eliminate any potential malpractices, ensuring a fairer and more efficient process for candidates. These reforms aim to improve the overall integrity of the exam, providing a more reliable and streamlined system for aspiring medical students.
What Is NEET-UG Exam:
The NEET-UG (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test – Undergraduate) is a national-level entrance exam conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) in India for students aspiring to pursue undergraduate courses in medical and dental fields. NITI UG is conducted by the NTA for admission to undergraduate medical courses like MBBS, BDS, BAMS, BHMS. More than 23 lakh students took the NEET-UG exam in 2024 for admission to MBBS, BDS, AYUSH and other related courses. In November last year, the court had rejected the petition seeking review of its August 2 verdict and refused to allow a fresh NEET-UG 2024 exam.
What has the committee recommended and what changes can be made?
- On the Recommendation of the committee, NEET can now be conducted in online mode (Computer Based Test) instead of OMR sheet (Offline Mode)
- The exam can be multi-session and multi-staged. NEET exam in more than one stage is possible. The expert committee has recommended multistage testing for NEET-UG.
- NEET attempts maybe Limited. The committee has a recommended that scoring/ranking and number of attempts at each stage may be Limited.
- Testing centre allocation policies is subject to change.
- In order to ensure that candidates get the choice of examination centre in their residential district, the committee has advised NTA to adopt Testing Centre Allocation Policy. If there is a case of selecting the examination centre in a strange way, then this can be detected through data analytics.
The proposed NEET-UG exam reforms aim to bring about significant improvements in the transparency, fairness, and efficiency of the entrance process. By addressing key concerns such as malpractices and enhancing the overall integrity of the exam, these changes are expected to create a more level playing field for all aspirants. As the government moves forward with implementing the expert panel’s recommendations, it is hoped that these reforms will not only streamline the admissions process but also instill greater confidence in students and their families.