New Delhi [India]: The National Testing Agency (NTA) has confirmed that the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test for Undergraduate (NEET-UG) 2025 will continue to be conducted in the traditional pen-and-paper (OMR-based) mode.
“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,” an NTA notice announced on Thursday.
The notice reiterated that the exam will take place in a single day and a single shift, maintaining the same format as previous years. Additionally, the NTA clarified that aspirants for the Military Nursing Service (MNS) seeking admission to B.Sc. Nursing courses at Armed Forces Medical Service Hospitals must also qualify for NEET-UG. The NEET-UG score will serve as the basis for shortlisting candidates for the four-year B.Sc. Nursing program.
NEET, one of the most competitive medical entrance exams in India, is conducted annually by the NTA for admissions into medical colleges. In 2024, over 24 lakh students appeared for NEET-UG at 4,750 centers spread across 571 cities on May 5.
The demand to transition NEET to a computer-based test (CBT) mode has been rising since allegations of a paper leak surfaced last year. The controversy prompted the Centre to establish a high-level panel in July to address irregularities and ensure the transparent and fair conduct of exams by the NTA.
The panel, led by former ISRO Chief R. Radhakrishnan, proposed several measures, including multi-session and multi-stage testing, secure and accessible testing centers, mobile testing units for remote areas, and a robust grievance redressal system.
The NEET exam was under scrutiny after allegations of paper leaks and irregularities, prompting a CBI investigation. Similarly, UGC-NET faced similar accusations and was canceled last year when the Ministry received credible inputs regarding the exam’s compromised integrity. Both cases are currently under investigation.