New Delhi, May 15 (APAC Media): Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan announced a series of major reforms in the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test Undergraduate (NEET-UG) examination process.
One of the major changes is the transition of the exam to a Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode from next year, following the controversy surrounding the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak.
Addressing a press conference on the issue, the Union Education Minister acknowledged the need for significant changes in the existing examination system to ensure transparency and eliminate irregularities. He said the National Testing Agency (NTA), which conducts examinations for nearly one crore students annually, carries a huge responsibility and must ensure “zero error” in the examination process.
Pradhan stated that Optical Mark Recognition (OMR)-based examination sheets were identified as a major reason behind the alleged paper leak incidents, prompting the decision to gradually shift NEET-UG to an online computer-based format from next year.
The minister also announced relief measures for students affected by the cancellation of the May 2026 NEET examination. The examination fee paid for the cancelled exam will be refunded, while no fee will be charged for the re-examination scheduled to be conducted on 21 June 2026.
Additionally, the NTA will provide candidates with a one-week window to select their preferred examination city, with efforts being made to prioritise their choices. Admit cards for the re-examination will be released by June 14, 2026.
To improve the examination experience, the duration of the exam will also be increased by 15 minutes to compensate for time spent on exam check- in formalities such as ID verification and signatures.
Also Read
NTA Announces NEET-UG 2026 Re-Examination on June 21 After Paper Leak Row
