New Delhi: With the NEET question paper leak controversy triggering nationwide concern, the Union government is moving quickly to comprehensively restructure the National Testing Agency (NTA), which conducts several key national-level examinations.
NEET for undergraduate medical admissions was held on May 3. Following complaints of a paper leak, the NTA cancelled the exam and conducted a re-test on June 21. Repeated leak allegations have drawn sharp criticism of the agency.
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has announced that from next year NEET will be conducted in a computer-based format. Alongside this shift, the ministry is also planning major changes in how the exam is scheduled and administered.
As per the plan, NEET would be conducted over 5 to 6 days at around 1,000 centres across 500 cities. Most centres are expected to be government educational institutions such as Kendriya Vidyalayas and Navodaya Vidyalayas, with a few reputed private institutions also likely to be considered.
Each centre is expected to accommodate about 500 candidates per day. A detailed notification on the timetable, exam cities and other particulars is expected after the NTA’s restructuring, which is anticipated to be completed by October.
