NEET 2025 Exam Mode by NTA Updates: Pen and Paper Exam Mode

Current Mode of the NEET UG Exam

The NEET UG exam will be conducted offline, using pen and paper, like every year. This is mainly due to the large number of candidates appearing for the NEET UG exam each year. Given the scale of the exam, the current offline NEET mode of exam is seen as the most feasible option. Candidates have to mark their answers on an Optical Mark Recognition (OMR) sheet.

Is the NEET 2025 exam mode changed?

The government was in a discussion with the NTA and the Radhakrishnan committee, which was formed to reform changes in the NEET UG exam due to the paper leak allegations in the past years. NTA was reviewing NEET 2025 exam changes including the pattern and exam mode. In an interview, the Union Education Minister, Dharmendra Pradhan said that the review panel and NTA, both are in favour of shifting the NEET 2025 mode of exam to online from offline. The NTA can also re-introduce the age restrictions in NEET 2025 along with other changes. HOwever, the NEET 2025 notification by NTA has been released stating that the NEET UG 2025 exam mode is pen and paper based mode.

Radhakrishnan Committee’s Suggestions on NEET UG 2025 Exam Mode

The Radhakrishnan committee earlier suggested a variety of changes for NEET UG 2025. Some of these changes suggested by the review panel are as follows -

• Hybrid Examination Mode: The panel suggested introducing a hybrid model for NEET UG 2025. In this model, NEET question papers will be delivered digitally to exam centres. At the NEET exam centres, students will have to record their answers on traditional OMR sheets. This system reduces the need to physically handle question papers and can reduce paper leak risks.

• Exam in multiple shifts: The committee also proposed conducting NEET in multiple shifts to have better control over the exam.

• Increase in NTA Staffing: To efficiently implement these changes, the panel has recommended NTA to employ more permanent personnel rather than relying on temporary staff. A larger staff would allow the NTA to oversee multiple shifts of the NEET UG exam in a better way.

• Reduction of Private Centers: The committee has also suggested reducing the use of private centres for conducting NEET exams, as they might not meet the same security standards as government-run or AICTE-recognized institutions.

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Pros of NEET UG 2025 CBT mode

Changing the NEET mode of exams to online can bring some positive changes. Some of the pros of NEET UG 2025 CBT mode are as follows -

Efficiency and Speed

If NEET 2025 was to be conducted in CBT mode, it can speed up the exam evaluation process. Unlike pen-and-paper exams that require manual checking, a computer-based test allows for instant processing and result generation. This can reduce the time taken to announce NEET results and minimise the chances of errors in the evaluation process.

Reduce malpractices and paper leak

NEET UG 2024 was surrounded by the controversy of paper leaks. The answer to the question “Will NEET 2025 be online or offline” remains unanswered until the NTA announces it. If NEET 2025 is switched to online mode, then it can reduce malpractices like cheating and paper leaks. This will increase the transparency of the NEET UG exam.

Challenges in Moving NEET to CBT Mode

While there are advantages in shifting the NEET UG exam to online mode, there are significant challenges and concerns in doing so. Some of the major challenges in conducting the NEET 2025 in online mode are as follows -

Limited access to technology

Despite the growing digitisation, not all students, especially those in rural areas, have equal access to computers and reliable internet. A shift to NEET CBT mode of exam might put students from underprivileged backgrounds at a disadvantage as they are not familiar with using computers in a high-stakes exam scenario. Some might struggle with the software interface, particularly when it comes to navigating between questions or selecting answers.

Technical glitches

While the shift to CBT mode of exam offers several benefits, it also brings the risk of technical issues, such as system malfunctions or server crashes during the exam. This could disrupt the NEET exam process, leading to delays or disputes.

NEET UG exam reform

Apart from the online conduct of the NEET UG 2025 exam, there are certain other NEET UG exam reforms that are likely to happen. As per the media reports, there can be certain changes in NEET UG 2025 pattern. There can be a change in the NEET UG exam pattern with the removal of optional questions from section B. Section B consists of 15 questions out of which candidates have to answer only 10 questions.