The Centre has clarified before the Supreme Court that no final decision has been taken on conducting the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test for Undergraduate (NEET UG) in computer-based test (CBT) mode from 2027.In an affidavit submitted ahead of the hearing on petitions related to the NEET UG 2026 paper leak and examination reforms, the government said that any change in the exam format will depend on the recommendations of a high-powered expert committee headed by Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani.
Shift to CBT under active consideration
The Department of Higher Education informed the apex court that the proposal to replace the existing pen-and-paper examination with a computer-based test is still under discussion.According to the affidavit, all stakeholders are examining different options for the future of the examination. These include conducting NEET UG as a single-stage computer-based examination or adopting a two-stage model similar to the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE), where candidates first appear for JEE Main followed by JEE Advanced.The government emphasised that the matter remains under active consideration and that no final roadmap has been approved.
Task force recommendations will guide the final decision
The Centre told the Supreme Court that the expert committee led by Nandan Nilekani is evaluating possible reforms to strengthen the examination system.It added that the government’s decision on introducing the computer-based format will be taken only after the task force submits its recommendations. The affidavit makes it clear that there is currently no confirmed timeline for implementing the proposed transition.This clarification indicates that reports suggesting a definite shift to CBT from 2027 should not be treated as final until the expert panel completes its review and the government formally approves its recommendations.
Affidavit filed before key Supreme Court hearing
The affidavit has been submitted ahead of the Supreme Court’s hearing on August 6 on petitions filed by organisations, including the Federation of All India Medical Association and the United Doctors Front.The petitions seek examination reforms following concerns raised over the integrity of NEET UG after the 2026 paper leak controversy. The apex court has been examining measures that could improve transparency, security and fairness in one of India’s largest entrance examinations.
Earlier announcement had indicated a move to CBT
The Centre’s latest stand comes months after former Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan had announced in May that the National Testing Agency (NTA) was planning to conduct NEET UG in computer-based mode instead of the traditional pen-and-paper format.The latest affidavit, however, makes it clear that while the proposal remains under consideration, the government has not yet taken a final decision. The eventual format of NEET UG will depend on the recommendations of the expert committee and the government’s assessment of those suggestions.
What this means for NEET aspirants
For now, medical aspirants should note that there is no official confirmation that NEET UG will switch to a computer-based format from 2027. Until the Centre announces a final decision based on the expert panel’s recommendations, students should rely only on official notifications issued by the National Testing Agency and the government regarding any changes to the examination pattern.
