{
  "id": 10876978,
  "title": "NEET-UG to shift online? Centre works on nationwide CBT infrastructure strategy",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/30/neet-ug-to-shift-online-centre-works-on-nationwide-cbt-infrastructure",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-30T06:25:50.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Times of India",
    "slug": "times-of-india",
    "url": "https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/neet-ug-to-shift-online-centre-works-on-nationwide-cbt-infrastructure-strategy/articleshow/134583839.cms"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Central government is working on a nationwide Computer-Based Testing (CBT) infrastructure plan to transition NEET from its traditional pen-and-paper format to an online examination, according to education ministry officials. While NEET has been administered in pen-and-paper mode thus far, other entrance exams such as JEE-Main, CUET-UG, UGC-NET and CSIR UGC-NET are conducted online by the National Testing Agency (NTA). Once the infrastructure strategy is implemented, all entrance exams are planned to move to online mode. The strategy aims to bridge the geographic gap in test center availability, standardize center-level examination specifications, and facilitate the shift from pen-and-paper to CBT mode. The development comes amid the overhaul of the NTA, the agency responsible for conducting NEET-UG and other entrance exams for higher education institutions. The possible migration of NEET (UG) to CBT, including transition design, sequencing, infrastructure prerequisites, and equity implications for rural, women, and low-connectivity districts, is under consideration. However, the final decision will depend on the recommendations of the High-Level Task Force on exam reforms, which is awaiting input from the Health Ministry and National Medical Commission. The NEET-UG paper leak earlier this year prompted protests and the resignation of the then Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The move to CBT mode was announced following the leak, and the task force, headed by Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani, has not yet submitted its report.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}