Education

NTA reforms: Parliamentary panel seeks CBT for NEET-UG and isolated paper setters

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Sweeping NTA reforms have been proposed by a parliamentary standing committee in its 382nd report, the Indian Express and PIB reported. The panel says the National Testing Agency’s problems are institutional and must be fixed at the root.

NTA reforms: AI-generated illustration of the scene
AI-generated illustration based on reports by The Indian Express, The New Indian Express and PIB.

Key NTA reforms proposed

The committee, chaired by Rajya Sabha MP Mukul Wasnik, wants a large, continuously updated question bank, the Indian Express reported. It suggests setting papers closer to the exam date. The New Indian Express reported that final question setters should be kept in isolation to prevent leaks.

Key Facts

  • 382nd report of the education standing committee
  • About 1,000 government-owned CBT centres proposed
  • NTA tests about 1.2 crore candidates a year
  • Presented on 9 October 2026

Computer-based NEET-UG

The panel recommends moving NEET-UG to computer-based testing. It calls for about 1,000 secure, government-owned test centres and at least one centre per district. It also seeks a registry of blacklisted vendors.

NTA reforms: data graphic of key reported figures
NTA reforms: the numbers. Graphic: TrendDesh, built from PIB, Indian Express figures.

Scale of the agency's task

The NTA conducts JEE-Main, NEET-UG, CUET and UGC-NET for about 1.2 crore candidates a year. NEET-UG alone draws more than 22 lakh. The report was presented to the Rajya Sabha Chairman on 9 October.

What comes next

The government must now respond to the committee’s recommendations. The report also suggests compensation for candidates when an exam is cancelled.

Why It Matters: The proposals could change how crores of students take India's biggest entrance exams.

Also on TrendDesh: Top 2% scientists list 2026: IISc leads with 139 Indian researchers · US green card freeze hits eight firms as Indian IT shares rebound

Sources: The Indian Express · The New Indian Express · PIB

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