. The payment of the application fee can be made until January 3, 2025. Additionally, applicants will have the opportunity to make corrections to their application forms from January 4 to January 5, 2025.](https://highereducationplus.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Beige-Black-Modern-Professional-Fashion-Photographers-Facebook-Cover-1-360x180.jpg)
By 2025, significant changes will be implemented in India’s major entrance exams, including NEET-UG, following recommendations from a high-level committee set up by the Ministry of Education. These reforms aim to address challenges like impersonation, irregularities, and paper leaks, which raised concerns during NEET-UG 2024.
Key Changes
The committee’s report, Reforming the National Entrance Testing in India, proposes transitioning all exams to a Computer-Based Test (CBT) format. For areas with limited online access, a hybrid model is suggested, where question papers are transmitted digitally, and candidates write answers on OMR sheets. A Digi Exam system, similar to Digi Yatra, will require candidates to upload fresh data for each exam to prevent impersonation. Multi-stage exams for NEET-UG, akin to JEE, are also recommended to improve evaluation.
To strengthen the National Testing Agency (NTA), which conducts 15 major exams, the panel suggests hiring permanent staff and limiting reliance on private centers by creating government-run CBT centers.
Enhancing Exam Security
The panel recommends secure digital transfer of question papers to test centers, where they can be printed using high-speed printers to reduce tampering risks. Mobile Testing Centers (MTCs), designed as buses with secure servers, will cater to candidates in remote regions, particularly in the Northeast and Himalayan states.
NTA Restructuring
The NTA will be restructured with ten specialized verticals led by directors and overseen by two Additional Director Generals (ADGs) focusing on operations, test security, and surveillance. Coordination committees at state and district levels will ensure secure and efficient test administration.
Accessibility and Future Vision
The reforms also include establishing standardized testing centers in every district and scaling up CBT adoption. Training programs for test administrators will address challenges and prevent breaches. Additionally, the panel envisions introducing Computer-Adaptive Testing (CAT), already used internationally, for dynamic question difficulty adjustment based on candidate performance.
A high-powered steering committee has been set up by the Ministry of Education to oversee the implementation of these reforms, ensuring exams are more secure, transparent, and accessible.
