NEW DELHI — The National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test for Undergraduate (NEET-UG) is likely to retain its pen-and-paper format in 2027 amid opposition from southern Indian states, officials and people familiar with the developments said.
The decision follows an extension of the Nandan Nilekani-led examination reform task force's tenure until January 27, 2027. The six-member task force, constituted on July 27 with an initial three-month mandate to recommend measures to strengthen the country's examination system and prevent question paper leaks, is unlikely to suggest any changes in the method for NEET-UG 2027 before submitting its report.
Southern states have raised multiple concerns in their submissions to the High-Powered Task Force (HPTF). Tamil Nadu and Kerala have flagged implications for rural and marginalised students, the weightage given to school board marks, and equivalence among different education boards. Tamil Nadu shared findings of the 2021 Justice AK Rajan committee report, which highlighted that NEET admissions had disproportionately disadvantaged students from Tamil-medium backgrounds, government schools and state-board institutions, besides candidates from disadvantaged social groups. Tamil Nadu has consistently opposed NEET and sought the restoration of states' powers to conduct medical admissions; the state legislative assembly passed a resolution in August seeking to do away with the common entrance test.
Karnataka has called for greater state involvement in medical admissions and examination-related decisions, with a state government official stating the state was a pioneer in conducting engineering and medical seat allotments since 1992 and should be involved in any proposed overhaul. The official also flagged the logistical challenges of conducting the examination across multiple computer-based testing sessions, including preparing different question papers and ensuring comparable difficulty levels.
The debate over shifting NEET-UG to computer-based testing has continued despite repeated recommendations in favour of the online format. In October 2024, a committee headed by former ISRO chairman K Radhakrishnan described CBT as the "sure way forward" to prevent paper leaks and recommended a nationwide network of standardised testing centres. On May 15, 2026, three days after the cancellation of NEET-UG 2026, then education minister Dharmendra Pradhan announced that the examination would move to CBT from 2027. However, on August 4, the Centre told the Supreme Court that the transition had not been finalised and remained "under active consideration".
The health ministry and National Medical Commission (NMC) flagged infrastructure constraints and score normalisation during an HPTF meeting on August 20, indicating that preparations for a CBT transition remained at an early stage. More than 2.2 million candidates registered for NEET-UG 2026, and accommodating them through CBT would require multiple examination sessions unless testing infrastructure is substantially expanded. A 31-member parliamentary standing committee on education recommended a phased transition to CBT, calling for at least 1,000 secure government-owned testing centres, at least one centre in every district and mock examinations to familiarise students with the digital format.
The NTA, Union education ministry and members of the task force did not respond to requests for comment. The copy will be updated whenever it is received.
