NEET UG in CBT mode from 2027: Dharmendra Pradhan

NEET 2027: Days after the National Testing Agency (NTA) announced the re-test date for NEET UG 2026, the Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan held a press conference, briefing the media on a major reform in the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test-Undergraduate 2027. NEET 2026 Re-Exam Live Updates

From the next year onwards, NEET UG exam will be held in a computer-based test (CBT) mode.

While commenting on the alleged paper leak allegations, Pradhan emphasised that CBT exams are a better version than OMR. “We live in a world where cybercrime has become a reality, so we need to learn to trust the government system. We will ensure and work to make CBT full proof,” Pradhan said.

NTA will conduct NEET UG 2026 re-exam on June 21 and new admit card will be issued soon on the official website, nta.ac.in and neet.nta.nic.in.

Re-NEET: ‘Will ensure better arrangements,’ says minister

Pradhan highlighted that despite the AI surveillance in over 5,000 centres, the NEET paper leak happened. However, this time, the testing agency will ensure better arrangements and work in close coordination with the states, he added.

Pradhan further added that NTA was established by following an order of the Supreme Court and has been “doing good work.” He added that the government and he himself are working continuously to improve the NTA.

“We will go to the root of this problem and find out those responsible. Anyone inside NTA or outside will not be spared,” the minister added.

However, Pradhan refused to pass any political comments, saying he is accountable for the future of 22 lakh students. Recently, Tamil Nadu CM urged union government to abolish NEET following the paper leak allegations, arguing latest controversy has once again exposed 'structural flaws'. Read More: 'Abolish NEET', says Tamil Nadu CM Vijay citing structural flaws; backs 12th marks for MBBS admission

NTA Reform: Seven-member committee

Earlier in 2024, the central government formed a seven-member "high-level" expert committee to suggest reform in NTA and the way it conducts competitive exams across the country. Pradhan insisted upon the fact that all the arrangements were made to conduct the NEET exam successfully as per the guidelines suggested by the expert committee.

“As the Radhakrishnan committee had said, we had made preparations like the general election for conducting the exams. You can call up any district collector and ask about it.”

The panel, led by the former Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) chairman, had suggested a ‘hybrid’ computer-assisted PPT mode. The reforms include digital delivery of question papers at exam centres, with a push for a full transition to computer-based testing (CBT) mode.

NEET 2026 paper leak on Telegram

The NTA cancelled the NEET UG 2026 exam conducted on May 3 after allegations of paper leak surfaced on social media when more than 100 questions in the paper allegedly matched with the guess paper distributed on Telegram.

When the NEET 2024 paper leak happened, Pradhan cited Telegram as one of the major reasons for the leak. The app has been on the radar of experts, especially those working in cybersecurity. Read More: Telegram link to NEET, UGC NET paper leaks unsurprising: Experts

Several arrests have been made in connection with the NEET 2026 paper leak, and the CBI is investigating the matter. As per PTI reports, the CBI is also looking into possible role of any insider in NTA in the irregularities. Till now, two student suicides have been reported, one in Goa and the other in Uttar Pradesh amid the exam cancellation.