Hyderabad: Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan announced that the NEET computer-based exam format would be introduced from next year.
Addressing a press conference in New Delhi on Friday, Pradhan said the Centre decided to move NEET from the present paper-based format to an online examination model.
He said there was an urgent need to conduct competitive examinations through a computer-based system.
The Minister’s statement came amid concerns over NEET paper leaks and cancellation of examinations conducted by the National Testing Agency.
Lakhs of students expressed anxiety and disappointment over alleged irregularities in competitive examinations.
NEET computer-based exam to begin next year
Pradhan said the government implemented the recommendations of the Radhakrishnan Committee to strengthen the examination system.
However, he admitted that a breakdown had occurred somewhere in the chain of command.
He assured that authorities were taking corrective measures to prevent future irregularities.
The Minister described the issue as a long and sustained fight against the education mafia in the country.
He said the Central Bureau of Investigation launched a detailed multi-level probe into the breach.
According to him, investigators would identify how miscreants managed to compromise the examination system.
Pradhan assured students that the government machinery would work to prevent malpractice in future examinations.
He also announced that the NTA would conduct NEET re-examinations on June 21.
The Minister said candidates would receive admit cards by June 14.
He added that aspirants would get an opportunity to choose their preferred examination city through a one-week window.
Pradhan also announced 15 minutes of extra time for students to fill OMR sheet details.
In addition, the NTA decided to refund examination fees to candidates affected by the cancellation.
The agency also decided not to charge any extra fee for the re-examination process.