The demand to review the NEET Exam for 2025 is growing because of allegations of question paper leaks from various offline centers. To address this, the government has set up a seven-member committee to look into the NEET exam structure, processes, and the workings of the NTA, as directed by the Supreme Court.
The expert panel, led by former ISRO chairman Dr. K. Radhakrishnan, has suggested several important changes for the NEET 2025 exam. These include changes to the exam format, limits on the number of attempts, and how exam centers are managed. Read on to learn more about the panel’s suggestions.
Is the NEET Exam Mode Changed for 2025?
In recent years, the NEET exam has faced issues like paper leaks, leading to calls for better exam processes. To tackle these problems, the government set up a seven-member panel, led by Dr. K. Radhakrishnan, former head of ISRO. The panel has proposed several measures to improve security and ensure fair conditions for students. One major suggestion is to consider moving NEET to an online or hybrid exam format.
No More Countless Attempts in NEET UG Exam
If the suggestions from the high-level committee led by former ISRO chief K. Radhakrishnan are approved, we could see major changes in future NEET exams. One significant change could be the end of multiple chances for students to take the NEET-UG exam. Currently, students are allowed up to four attempts, similar to the JEE Main exam. This change aims to reduce the number of students who repeatedly take the exam.
At present, there is no limit on the number of attempts for NEET, and many students take it seven to eight times. The NEET exam is held only once a year, while the JEE Main exam is held twice a year, giving students six chances over three years. In 2024, around 24 lakh students participated in NEET-UG. The committee submitted its recommendations to the Supreme Court last week, but the NTA has not yet released these suggestions.
NEET UG 2025 News on Exam Mode
The committee has proposed several changes for the NEET-UG 2025 exam, aims to improve its security, accessibility, and overall effectiveness. Here are some of the key suggestions:
- Hybrid Examination Mode: The committee recommends introducing a hybrid model where the question papers are delivered electronically to secure exam centers, and students mark their answers on traditional OMR sheets. This approach would reduce the handling of physical question papers and help prevent paper leaks.
- Multi-Stage Examination: The committee suggests holding NEET in multiple stages. This could provide candidates with more opportunities to perform their best and allow authorities to check for any irregularities at each stage, adding an extra layer of security.
- Improved Data Security: A key focus is strengthening data security to ensure the question paper remains confidential until the exam begins. Digital transmission of the question paper shortly before the exam will help reduce the risk of unauthorized access.
- Increased NTA Staffing: To effectively implement these changes, the committee recommends that the National Testing Agency (NTA) hire more permanent staff. A larger team would help the NTA manage the exam process more efficiently and ensure better oversight.
- Reduction of Private Exam Centers: The committee advises limiting the use of private centers for conducting NEET exams. Private centers may not meet the same security standards as government-run or AICTE-recognized institutions, which could pose a risk to the integrity of the exam.
Also read: Preparation Strategy For NEET Dropper
How Hybrid Examination Mode Combat Paper Leaks
To prevent frequent NEET paper leaks, Dr. K. Radhakrishnan’s expert team has proposed a hybrid exam format for NEET-UG. In this format, exams would be held online where possible, with the question paper being sent digitally to the exam center but answered on paper using an OMR sheet. This approach would reduce the number of people who handle the question paper, minimizing the chances of a leak.
This suggestion is especially important after the alleged NEET-UG paper leak in Hazaribagh, Jharkhand, where the question paper was illegally accessed and likely shared with others before the exam. By transmitting the paper digitally, the exam authority can release the questions closer to the start of the exam, improving security. This method eliminates the need for the paper to go through multiple stages, like printing, storage in a secure room, and transportation to the exam center, all of which can increase the risk of leaks.
NEET 2025 News: Latest News Today
The NTA is expected to announce the NEET UG 2025 exam schedule soon, with the exam likely to be held on May 4, 2025. In light of recent changes to the JEE Main 2025 exam, similar updates to NEET UG may also be considered, such as the removal of optional questions. Be sure to bookmark this page for the latest updates.
Is the NEET Exam Mode Changed for 2025 FAQs
Q1. Will the NEET 2025 exam pattern change?
Ans. The NEET 2025 exam will have two sections:
Section A will consist of 35 questions.
Section B will have 15 questions, and candidates will need to answer 10 of them.
Q2. Will NEET 2025 be conducted in two phases?
Ans. As of now, two major changes are speculated in the NEET 2025 exam. One is a shift of the NEET exam 2025 to online mode. And the other one is conducting the NEET exam 2025 in two shifts- Prelims and Mains.
Q3. What is the Hybrid Mode Suggested for NEET 2025?
Ans. The hybrid mode involves sending the question papers digitally to exam centers, while students will still mark their answers on traditional OMR sheets. This method is designed to reduce the handling of physical papers, which helps minimize the risk of leaks and improves the overall security of the exam.
