On the issue of NEET-UG test, the Parliamentary Committee attached to the Ministry of Education has once again stated that this test, just like the JEE Main, UGC NET, and CUET tests, needs to be conducted using computer testing, and not the pen-and-paper testing. The Committee has further suggested that the NTA needs to work on war footing towards implementing this suggestion.

Further, it has stated that the attempts and age restrictions for the students appearing in the NEET-UG test need to be decided in collaboration with the Ministry of Health.

The Parliamentary Committee, which is chaired by a senior leader of the Congress party and Rajya Sabha MP Mukul Wasnik, has also asked the NTA to set up 1,000 government owned and safe examination centers. At least one examination center needs to be set up in each district according to the recommendation made by the Committee.

NTA has suggested conducting the NEET test using computer-based testing but has also considered the interests of students belonging to remote and disadvantaged locations. Until a robust computer-based testing infrastructure and student preparation are established in these areas, it has suggested conducting the exam in hybrid mode.

It has also called for some preparatory measures, including arranging for printing of question papers at the examination centers. Currently, there are no set age limits or attempts for the NEET-UG exam.

In its report on the functioning of the NTA, the committee also recommended substantial investment in establishing government-controlled examination infrastructure in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities and rural areas to conduct the NEET-UG exam nationwide.

It also called for consultations with the Health Ministry, students, and their families before making a final decision on conducting the NEET-UG through computer-based testing. It is noteworthy that the committee made this suggestion after the NEET-UG paper leak. However, following this leak, the then Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan had also announced that the NEET-UG would be conducted in CBT mode from next year.

The committee also raised questions about the exam pattern being tailored to the coaching industry rather than based on real-world understanding, and urged that changes be made to prevent anyone from progressing by simply understanding the pattern or memorizing it. The current pattern has become more relevant to the curriculum prepared by coaching institutes than to the school curriculum, attracting students from socially and economically disadvantaged backgrounds.

The committee also highlighted the staff shortage within the NTA. The report stated that the NTA has a total of 39 sanctioned posts, but only 23 of these are filled. The committee also called for a special investigation of the officials, staff, and experts appointed by the NTA.

It recommended that only teachers from government institutions be appointed as experts for question paper preparation and translation. It also stated that the question paper should be finalized a few days before the exam, and that the experts involved should be kept in isolation until the exam is over.

On the issue of NEET-UG test, the Parliamentary Committee attached to the Ministry of Education has once again stated that this test, just like the JEE Main, UGC NET, and CUET tests, needs to be conducted using computer testing, and not the pen-and-paper testing. The Committee has further suggested that the NTA needs to work on war footing towards implementing this suggestion.

Further, it has stated that the attempts and age restrictions for the students appearing in the NEET-UG test need to be decided in collaboration with the Ministry of Health.

The Parliamentary Committee, which is chaired by a senior leader of the Congress party and Rajya Sabha MP Mukul Wasnik, has also asked the NTA to set up 1,000 government owned and safe examination centers. At least one examination center needs to be set up in each district according to the recommendation made by the Committee.

NTA has suggested conducting the NEET test using computer-based testing but has also considered the interests of students belonging to remote and disadvantaged locations. Until a robust computer-based testing infrastructure and student preparation are established in these areas, it has suggested conducting the exam in hybrid mode.

It has also called for some preparatory measures, including arranging for printing of question papers at the examination centers. Currently, there are no set age limits or attempts for the NEET-UG exam.

In its report on the functioning of the NTA, the committee also recommended substantial investment in establishing government-controlled examination infrastructure in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities and rural areas to conduct the NEET-UG exam nationwide.

It also called for consultations with the Health Ministry, students, and their families before making a final decision on conducting the NEET-UG through computer-based testing. It is noteworthy that the committee made this suggestion after the NEET-UG paper leak. However, following this leak, the then Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan had also announced that the NEET-UG would be conducted in CBT mode from next year.

The committee also raised questions about the exam pattern being tailored to the coaching industry rather than based on real-world understanding, and urged that changes be made to prevent anyone from progressing by simply understanding the pattern or memorizing it. The current pattern has become more relevant to the curriculum prepared by coaching institutes than to the school curriculum, attracting students from socially and economically disadvantaged backgrounds.

The committee also highlighted the staff shortage within the NTA. The report stated that the NTA has a total of 39 sanctioned posts, but only 23 of these are filled. The committee also called for a special investigation of the officials, staff, and experts appointed by the NTA.

It recommended that only teachers from government institutions be appointed as experts for question paper preparation and translation. It also stated that the question paper should be finalized a few days before the exam, and that the experts involved should be kept in isolation until the exam is over.