NEET-UG re-exam hit by fresh claims of malpractice; NTA eyes transition to computer-based testing

NEW DELHI: The recently concluded NEET-UG re-examination has run into fresh controversies, with multiple instances of cheating and organised impersonation reported across various centres. In Bihar, law enforcement busted a major impersonation racket operating out of exam centres in Hasanpur and Lakhisarai, leading to the arrest of ten individuals, including medical and nursing students.

According to police statements, the impersonators allegedly charged up to ₹40 lakhs per candidate. In a significant security breach, the accused managed to bypass the mandatory biometric verification protocols at the test centers. This loophole led to the subsequent arrest of 15 employees belonging to the private firm contracted to handle the biometric screening process.

The malpractices were not isolated to Bihar. In Varanasi, invigilators caught a student who had hidden a SIM card and an outdated question paper inside their undergarments. Meanwhile, at a test center in the Rangareddy district of Telangana, a student was apprehended using a mobile phone inside the restroom. The candidate had requested to use the restroom shortly after receiving the question paper. When they failed to return after ten minutes, suspicious invigilators intervened and caught the student actively searching for exam answers on Google. The accused later confessed to smuggling and hiding the phone in the restroom early that morning.

While 22.05 lakh candidates had appeared for the initial exam held on May 3, the re-examination saw a turnout of just over 20 lakh students. Official assessments indicate that the drop in numbers is primarily because many candidates had already secured admissions or opted for alternative streams, such as engineering, and chose to skip the re-test.

NTA to move toward Computer-Based Testing (CBT)
To counter the persistent threat of question paper leaks and systemic malpractice, National Testing Agency (NTA) Director General Abhishek Singh announced that the agency aims to implement a Computer-Based Test (CBT) format starting next year.

This aligns with Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's announcement on May 15, where he stated that the traditional Pen-and-Paper Test (PPT) method would be phased out in favor of CBT. The NTA has already informed the Supreme Court regarding this proposed systemic shift.

Under the CBT model, candidates will log into an allocated computer terminal using a unique user ID and password to access the question paper on-screen. The system allows students to select answers using a mouse and provides the flexibility to modify their choices at any point before the final submission deadline.

While the NTA successfully conducts other major national exams like JEE Main, UGC-NET, Joint CSIR-UGC NET, and NCET through the CBT format, scaling it for NEET-UG presents an unprecedented logistical challenge. Accommodating over 22 lakh candidates simultaneously will require the agency to identify and secure a massive network of institutions equipped with the necessary computer infrastructure and robust security systems.

Despite the reported incidents, NTA Director General Abhishek Singh maintained that the examination process was fundamentally secure.

"The examination was conducted flawlessly. The videos circulating on social media claiming a widespread question paper leak are entirely fabricated," Singh stated. He further clarified that the temporary restrictions on the Telegram application were a preemptive measure to shield students from psychological stress and misinformation. The agency has assured candidates that the re-examination results will be processed and declared at the earliest.