NEET-UG to Go Online Very Soon: NTA Chief Says Nilekani Panel Is Working on Plan

NEET-UG computer-based test: The NEET-UG examination is set to move from the traditional pen-and-paper format to a computer-based test (CBT), according to NTA Director General Abhishek Singh. The shift is part of the National Testing Agency’s broader plan to modernise its examinations and strengthen safeguards against malpractice and other irregularities.

Why This Shift Matters?

NEET-UG is currently the only major NTA exam that is not conducted in computer-based format. Other prominent exams — including JEE, UGC-NET, CUET, and NIFT — have already transitioned to CBT mode, making NEET-UG something of an outlier among the agency’s flagship examinations.

Speaking to ANI, Singh said: “CBT is the future, so all our examinations will be CBT in the days to come.” However, he acknowledged that the transition will require the NTA to expand testing infrastructure and strengthen safeguards before NEET can be conducted online at its current massive scale.

Nandan Nilekani-Led Panel Working on the Plan

A high-powered task force led by Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani is working on the proposed transformation. The panel’s focus includes assessing the infrastructure, security requirements, and systems needed to conduct NEET-UG through computers.

Given the sheer scale at which NEET-UG is conducted — with lakhs of candidates appearing every year across the country — the shift is far more complex than a routine format change. The NTA will need to ensure adequate testing centres, reliable systems, and robust safeguards are in place nationwide before a full transition can take place.

AI to Be Used to Detect Malpractice

Alongside the CBT transition, the NTA is also exploring the use of artificial intelligence to strengthen examination security and detect irregularities. According to the agency, this includes examining how AI can analyse examination logs, data, and behavioural patterns to identify potential fraud or system-level problems.

The stated objective is to detect issues at an early stage, ensuring exams are conducted with minimal scope for errors or malpractice — a response to the recurring concerns around paper leaks and irregularities that have affected NEET-UG and other competitive exams in recent years.

Long-Term Plans: International Expansion

In the longer term, the NTA is also considering conducting examinations across international locations. However, Singh clarified that the agency’s immediate priority remains strengthening examination systems within India, making them more transparent, secure, and reliable.

Once these domestic systems are sufficiently robust, the NTA plans to explore the possibility of conducting examinations for international and global bodies, positioning itself as a testing partner beyond India’s borders.

Why This Comes Now?

This proposed expansion and modernisation drive comes at a time when the NTA is under renewed scrutiny over examination security, particularly following past incidents involving paper leaks, impersonation, and other forms of malpractice in high-stakes exams like NEET-UG. The emphasis on both CBT transition and AI-driven fraud detection reflects the agency’s attempt to proactively address these concerns rather than respond reactively after future incidents.

What This Means for NEET-UG Aspirants?

While no confirmed timeline has been announced for when NEET-UG will actually shift to CBT mode, the statement signals a clear direction of travel for the exam. Aspirants and coaching institutes may need to start factoring in the eventual transition to computer-based testing as part of their long-term preparation strategy, especially once infrastructure assessments by the Nilekani-led panel progress further.

Key Highlights

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