Central government’s plan regarding NEET UG, JEE Main and CUET

The central government is planning to make changes in examinations like NEET UG 2025, JEE Main 2025 and CUET 2025 to improve the functioning of the National Testing Agency (NTA) and increase transparency. This step has been taken after irregularities surfaced in NEET UG 2024. The high-level committee formed for this has recommended the Digi-Exam system and many other reforms.

Suggestion of Digi-Exam System

The committee has recommended adopting Digi-Exam system on the lines of Digi Yatra to prevent any rigging in the examination process.

• Committee’s reasoning:
  • Candidates will have to upload the data again and again.
  • Data verification during the application process is not sufficient.
  • This will ensure that the person taking the test and taking admission in the course is the same person.
  • This will eliminate communication gaps and discrepancies.

Changes in the functioning of NTA

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has said that NTA will now focus only on entrance exams.

• Recruitment Examinations:
  NTA will no longer conduct recruitment examinations for non-teaching posts in universities.

Recommendations: New structure of examinations

The committee has suggested several reforms to the examination:

1. Computer-Based Test (CBT):
   All examinations will be in CBT format.
2. Hybrid Model:
   Where CBT is not possible, digital question papers and OMR sheets will be used.
3. Multi-Stage Testing for NEET UG:
   The examination will be conducted in phases, like JEE Main.
4. Reducing the number of subjects in CUET:
   Total subjects will be reduced from 67 to 37 and domain subjects will be reduced from 29 to 23.
5. Permanent Employees:
   Permanent experts and professionals will be appointed in NTA instead of temporary personnel.
6. Reducing Outsourcing:
   New CBT centers will be established in government institutions by reducing the number of private examination centers.

Restructuring of NTA

The panel has suggested to further strengthen NTA:

1. Appointment of experts:
   NTA’s internal experts should be given charge of the examination process.
2. Operational Improvement:
   • Two additional directors general should be appointed.
   • An ADG will handle technology, product and operations.
   • The second ADG will focus on security and surveillance.
3. Coordination at State and District Level:
   State and district officials will be involved in conducting the examinations.

Multi-session and multi-stage testing

The committee has suggested multi-session and multi-stage testing.

• For NEET UG:
  The examinations will be conducted in phases. There will be scoring and ranking in each stage.
• CUET:
  The number of subjects will be limited and streamlined.

Exam Center Allotment Policy

• Center in residence district:
  Candidates will be given the option to choose the examination center in their residence district.
• Data Analytics:
  Questionable selection of examination centers will be monitored through data analytics.

Use of hybrid model

Where full CBT is not possible:

1. Question papers will be sent through digital medium.
2. Candidates will answer on OMR sheet.
3. Question papers will be printed using high-speed printers at the examination centres.

Standardized testing center in every district

The committee has recommended one Standardized Testing Center (STC) in every district.

• Facility:
  This center will be able to conduct examinations in both CBT and PPT formats.
• Mobile Testing Center (MTC):
  Mobile testing centers with 30-40 seats will be set up in big buses in remote and difficult areas.

training and retraining

NTA and its associates will be improved through training and retraining.