NEET UG 2027 goes digital: Government assures error-free examinations - key takeaways from Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s speech
NEET UG 2027: Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said the government is committed to ensuring error-free examinations through stricter monitoring, CBI investigations, and major reforms in the National Testing Agency (NTA).
by Zee Media Bureau · Zee NewsUnion Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Friday announced that the NEET examination will shift to Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode from next year, amid growing concerns over paper leaks and exam malpractices. Stressing a zero-tolerance policy against irregularities, he said the government is committed to ensuring error-free examinations through stricter monitoring, CBI investigations, and major reforms in the National Testing Agency (NTA).
His remarks come days after the NEET-UG 2026 examination was cancelled following reports of a massive cross-state paper leak scandal.
Key takeaways from Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's speech
Exam Reforms
- NEET to shift to CBT mode from 2027
- Government cites OMR system as root cause of issue
- Government assures “zero errors” in NTA exams
Action Against Malpractices
- Zero tolerance policy against exam malpractices
- CBI probing NEET paper leak case
Relief for Students
- No fees for NEET UG re-examination
- Students to get one week to re-select exam city
- Exam duration extended by 15 minutes
- Centre to coordinate transport support for students
- NTA considering weather-related alternative arrangements
Re-Examination Schedule
- Re-exam to be held on June 21
- Admit cards to be released by June 14
Addressing a press conference, Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said that the root cause behind the NEET re-examination issue was the use of OMR sheets, adding that the exam will be conducted in Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode from next year, that is, 2027.
"From next year, NEET examination will happen in CBT (Computer-Based Test) mode," he said.
Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said, "We have zero tolerance towards malpractices and this is a long fight against the examination mafia. Various social media handles are trying to spread misinformation, the system is being challenged and in view of this, the investigation has been handed over to the CBI, which has initiated immediate action. It will go to the depths of the breach."
Giving clarification over the cancellation of the NEET UG exam, the Education Minister said that after the irregularities that surfaced last time, the Radhakrishnan Committee had been constituted and its recommendations were implemented word for word. Despite that, the incident still occurred, forcing the government to cancel the examination.
"We did not want any deserving student to be deprived of their rights due to the machinations of fraudulent candidates or the conspiracies of the education mafia... After the irregularities that surfaced last time, the Radhakrishnan Committee had been constituted, and we implemented its recommendations word for word for both 2025 and 2026. Despite that, this incident occurred. Hence, our first decision was to cancel the examination," he said.
Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan assured students of a fair NEET UG re-examination, saying that the Education Ministry will not allow malpractices this time.
"We will not let malpractices happen this time. We are all very sad and worried about the candidates, but we had to take this difficult decision in the interest of the nation," he said.
The Education Minister also addressed concerns over NEET UG re-examination fees, saying that there will be zero fees for the upcoming examination. He added that students will be given one week to re-select their preferred examination city.
He further said that, keeping students’ convenience and time constraints in mind, the NTA has decided to extend the examination duration by 15 minutes. The exam, which was earlier scheduled from 2 pm to 5 pm, will now continue till 5:15 pm.
"On the day of the cancellation, the NTA had declared the return of the fees of the students. There will be zero fees for the upcoming examination. Prima facie, the NTA has decided to give students one week to choose their preferred examination city again... Keeping students’ convenience and time constraints in mind, the NTA has decided to extend the examination duration by 15 minutes. The exam, which was scheduled from 2 pm to 5 pm, will now continue till 5:15 pm," he said.
Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan also expressed confidence over the functioning of the NTA, saying that the agency is in capable hands and assuring that the Education Ministry will ensure zero errors in the examination process.
"The NTA is in the hands of an able person... It has been formed with the recommendation of the Supreme Court and conducts examinations for nearly 1 crore students each year... We will ensure 0 errors in the NTA..."
Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said that the new dates for the re-examination have been announced for June 21.
"The new dates of the re-examination have been declared for June 21. The exam took place on May 3 and on May 7, the NTA received a complaint that the guess paper had some questions that were present in the question paper this time. The Higher Education Department initiated an immediate inquiry and handed it over to the government agency. They contacted the state agencies and by May 12, we were confirmed that, under the guise of a guess paper, the actual examination questions had indeed been leaked," he said.
Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan added that admit cards for the examination will be issued to all candidates by June 14. He further said that he would personally ensure that students face minimal difficulties in transportation during the NEET examination this time.
He also said, "The admit cards for this examination will be issued to all candidates by June 14... The Government of India will speak to the states regarding the arrangement of transport facilities for students, and I will also personally speak with Chief Ministers so that students face minimal difficulties in transportation during the NEET examination this time. The NTA is also considering an alternative arrangement in view of the weather changes on June 21."