NEW DELHI: The National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) for undergraduate medical admissions will move completely to the Computer-Based Test (CBT) format from 2027, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has said. The transition will end the use of pen-and-paper OMR sheets for the medical entrance examination.The minister said the decision has been taken to strengthen the examination process and address concerns related to security and transparency. He also said investigative agencies would continue to examine irregularities linked to examinations and those found responsible would face action.OMR sheets to be replaced from NEET 2027Announcing the change in the examination mode, Pradhan said, “Agale saal se NEET UG pariksha computer-based hogi, jo mool jad hai OMR wo nahi rahega,” indicating that the OMR-based system would no longer continue from the 2027 examination cycle.With the shift to CBT, candidates will answer questions through a computer interface instead of marking responses on physical answer sheets. However, the existing examination structure will remain unchanged. NEET UG will continue to carry 720 marks, with questions from Physics, Chemistry and Biology.Candidates to adapt preparation methodsThe change in examination mode will require aspirants to become familiar with digital testing platforms. Candidates preparing for NEET 2027 will need to practise through computer-based mock tests to improve speed, accuracy and familiarity with the online examination environment.The transition is expected to bring changes in how students approach practice sessions, as screen-based tests will replace physical OMR-based preparation methods.Minister says CBI probe will examine irregularitiesSpeaking on examination-related concerns, the Education Minister said that investigations would continue and no one involved in wrongdoing would be spared.“CBI will go deep and no one will be spared this time. Last time also no one was spared, but now I said that even after implementing the Radhakrishnan Committee, the incident has happened,” Pradhan said.The minister’s remarks referred to the ongoing focus on examination reforms and accountability measures following concerns raised over the conduct of national-level entrance examinations.Government focuses on examination security measuresThe shift to a fully computer-based format is part of broader efforts to strengthen examination systems and improve security arrangements. The government has previously taken measures through committees and investigations to address concerns related to examination management.NEET UG is one of India’s largest entrance examinations, conducted annually for admission to undergraduate medical programmes across the country. The move to CBT will introduce a new testing format for medical aspirants while retaining the existing academic pattern and marking system.
