NEET UG 2025 to be held in pen and paper mode: What you need to know
The NTA clarified that the examination will take place on a single day in a single shift
New Delhi: The National Testing Agency (NTA) has announced that the NEET-UG medical entrance exam will continue to be conducted in pen-and-paper mode for now.
"As decided by the National Medical Commission (NMC), the NEET-UG shall be conducted in pen-and-paper mode (OMR-based) in a single day and shift," stated an NTA notice on Thursday.
The NTA also clarified that the examination will take place on a single day in a single shift.
For Military Nursing Service (MNS) aspirants, the notice outlined:
"Candidates seeking admission to B.Sc. Nursing Courses conducted at Armed Forces Medical Service Hospitals for the year 2025 are required to qualify for NEET (UG). The NEET (UG) score will be used for shortlisting for selection to the four-year B.Sc. Nursing course."
Notably, the NTA conducts NEET annually for admissions to medical colleges. In 2024, over 24 lakh students appeared for the NEET-UG examination held on May 5 at 4,750 centres across 571 cities.
Rising demand for Computer-Based Tests (CBT)
The demand for switching NEET to computer-based testing (CBT) mode emerged following last year’s alleged paper leak controversy.
In response to these irregularities, including issues with NEET and Ph.D. entrance exams like NET, the Centre established a panel in July to ensure transparent, smooth, and fair examinations by NTA.
Key recommendations from the high-level panel, chaired by former ISRO Chief R. Radhakrishnan, include:
Multi-session and multi-stage testing for improved fairness.
Development of secure and accessible testing centres.
Mobile testing units to reach remote areas.
Implementation of a robust grievance redressal mechanism.
Addressing exam integrity issues
NEET has faced scrutiny for alleged leaks and irregularities. Similarly, UGC-NET was canceled last year after reports that its integrity had been compromised. Both cases are under investigation by the CBI.
Aadhaar for NEET applications:
According to the notification, Aadhaar is crucial for NEET applications due to the following reasons:
Simplified Application Process:
Aadhaar facilitates auto-population of details, reducing manual errors during submission.
Enhanced Examination Efficiency:
Aadhaar-based technology, like the Face Authentication Method introduced by UIDAI, enables faster identity verification for candidates.
Faster Attendance Verification:
Facial recognition ensures quicker and more accurate verification, leading to smoother exam hall entry.
Candidate Welfare:
Aadhaar authentication ensures unique identification, protecting candidates' interests throughout the examination lifecycle.
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