The Union Education Ministry has confirmed that the NEET UG examination will move to computer-based test mode permanently from 2027. This decision was officially announced by Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan following the cancellation of the NEET UG 2026 exam on May 3 due to a coordinated paper leak that affected over 23 lakh candidates. The shift to online testing is being presented as a structural solution to prevent future leaks.
The move aligns India with international best practices where major medical entrance examinations are conducted in secure digital environments with question randomisation, encrypted delivery, and real-time monitoring. However, education stakeholders have raised concerns about digital infrastructure in rural areas, examination centre readiness, and the availability of devices for lower-income aspirants who are the primary demographic of NEET applicants.
The NEET UG 2026 re-exam will still be held in the traditional pen-and-paper format on June 21, 2026. Preparations for the re-test are underway with enhanced security measures at every centre. Admit cards and city intimation slips for the re-exam are expected to be released by June 14, 2026, through the NTA portal.
