National

Education Minister reviews exam security, CBT plan amid possible NEET-UG shift

By /

Union Education Minister Pralhad Joshi on Friday reviewed national examination security protocols and computer-based testing (CBT) infrastructure amid active consideration of shifting NEET-UG to a CBT format. The meeting focused on preventing paper leaks, strengthening centre audits and ensuring that any transition does not leave students in smaller towns without reliable digital access.

Education Minister reviews exam security, CBT plan amid possible NEET-UG shift
Illustrative photo for this report — Unsplash (free).

Why NEET’s mode is under the scanner

NEET-UG remains one of India’s highest-stakes entrances, and recent years of leak allegations and logistical stress have pushed policymakers toward CBT models already used in other national tests. Officials discussed server redundancy, biometric entry, question-bank encryption and rapid grievance redress if a centre fails mid-exam. Any shift would need a multi-year runway for mock tests, vernacular interfaces and enough secure nodes so aspirants are not forced into long-distance travel.

News photo 4909-2
Illustrative photo for this report — Unsplash (free).

State education departments and coaching hubs will watch seating capacity and fee rules closely. Parents still scarred by postponements want dates locked early; student groups want assurance that CBT does not become a new exclusion barrier. The review sits in a wider integrity drive after high-profile paper-leak cases across recruiting exams.

What a phased rollout could look like

Ministerial briefings suggested infrastructure mapping first, then pilots, before any full NEET-UG cutover — rather than a sudden flip. Coverage of Joshi’s review is in The Indian Express. For related national governance threads, see our electoral-process reporting.

Coaching federations asked for at least one full mock CBT cycle under exam-day conditions before any NEET-UG notification, citing last-mile connectivity gaps in aspirational districts.

Correspondents following the national desk will continue to update figures and official statements as they firm through the holiday weekend.

News photo 4909-3
Illustrative photo for this report — Unsplash (free).

Student takeaway

No overnight change was announced; the signal is preparation for a more digital, audit-heavy NEET path if security and access tests clear.

Share

Today’s News 2 Oct 2026 · 21 stories

  1. Drishyam 3 Day-1: Ajay Devgn film crosses ₹60 crore net, tops Pathaan opener1Drishyam 3 Day-1: Ajay Devgn film crosses ₹60 crore net, tops Pathaan openerOct 2, 2026
  2. Rajasthan stays dry on 2 Oct: no rain alert for Jaipur, Bharatpur, Dausa2Rajasthan stays dry on 2 Oct: no rain alert for Jaipur, Bharatpur, DausaOct 2, 2026
  3. CM Bhajanlal flags ₹41,000-crore water push; Dhanawati reservoir tender moves3CM Bhajanlal flags ₹41,000-crore water push; Dhanawati reservoir tender movesOct 2, 2026
  4. Rajasthan logs 10.92 crore tourist visits in H1 2026; Sikar leads on faith footfall4Rajasthan logs 10.92 crore tourist visits in H1 2026; Sikar leads on faith footfallOct 2, 2026
  5. Jaipur: family protests second day over nursing student Prakash Khinchi’s death5Jaipur: family protests second day over nursing student Prakash Khinchi’s deathOct 2, 2026
  6. Jaipur police arrest two in ₹100-crore investment fraud; Mercedes seized6Jaipur police arrest two in ₹100-crore investment fraud; Mercedes seizedOct 2, 2026
  7. Asian Games finals preview: India vs Pakistan cricket; hockey men face Malaysia7Asian Games finals preview: India vs Pakistan cricket; hockey men face MalaysiaOct 2, 2026
  8. Sujeet Kalkal’s stunning 10–9 comeback wins Asian Games wrestling gold8Sujeet Kalkal’s stunning 10–9 comeback wins Asian Games wrestling goldOct 2, 2026
  9. Asian Games Day 13: India smash six golds, surge into top five on tally9Asian Games Day 13: India smash six golds, surge into top five on tallyOct 2, 2026
  10. Lovlina Borgohain wins Asian Games boxing gold; India bag three ring titles10Lovlina Borgohain wins Asian Games boxing gold; India bag three ring titlesOct 2, 2026
  11. India women beat China 1–0 for Asian Games hockey gold, book LA 2028 spot11India women beat China 1–0 for Asian Games hockey gold, book LA 2028 spotOct 2, 2026
  12. Education Minister reviews exam security, CBT plan amid possible NEET-UG shift12Education Minister reviews exam security, CBT plan amid possible NEET-UG shiftOct 2, 2026 · Reading now
  13. Indian private payloads reach orbit on SpaceX Falcon 9 from private space firms13Indian private payloads reach orbit on SpaceX Falcon 9 from private space firmsOct 2, 2026
  14. India eyes closing 114-Rafale fighter deal by financial year-end: Defence Secy14India eyes closing 114-Rafale fighter deal by financial year-end: Defence SecyOct 2, 2026
  15. Apple Pay in India: Axis credit cards only for now; no UPI, RuPay or debit15Apple Pay in India: Axis credit cards only for now; no UPI, RuPay or debitOct 2, 2026
  16. SC refuses interim stay on UPI MDR; asks Centre and RBI to explain levy16SC refuses interim stay on UPI MDR; asks Centre and RBI to explain levyOct 2, 2026
  17. Jantar Mantar protest: about 1,100 detained as Opposition targets CEC over SIR17Jantar Mantar protest: about 1,100 detained as Opposition targets CEC over SIROct 2, 2026
  18. India’s 2026 monsoon weakest since 2015; farmers and shopowners count the cost18India’s 2026 monsoon weakest since 2015; farmers and shopowners count the costOct 2, 2026
  19. Gandhi Jayanti holiday: Banks, markets shut; UPI and ATMs stay open19Gandhi Jayanti holiday: Banks, markets shut; UPI and ATMs stay openOct 2, 2026
  20. Shastri Jayanti: Modi, Murmu honour ‘Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan’ legacy at Vijay Ghat20Shastri Jayanti: Modi, Murmu honour ‘Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan’ legacy at Vijay GhatOct 2, 2026
  21. Gandhi Jayanti 2026: Murmu, Modi lead tributes on 157th birth anniversary21Gandhi Jayanti 2026: Murmu, Modi lead tributes on 157th birth anniversaryOct 2, 2026

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Scroll to Top