NEET UG to see two-stage exam, age cap, CBT shift: Par panel proposes major changes

A Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education, Women, Children, Youth and Sports submitted a detailed report on 10 October 2026, proposing significant changes to the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (Undergraduate) (NEET (UG)) examination system. These recommendations cover a shift to a Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode, the introduction of a two-stage exam format, and rolling out age and attempt limits for candidates.

The proposed reforms come in the wake of the NEET (UG) 2026 paper leak, which led to the cancellation of the exam on May 12, 2026, after it was conducted on May 3, 2026. The committee’s suggestions aim to enhance the National Testing Agency’s (NTA) accountability, rebuild trust in the examination process, improve security, and reduce examination fraud for the over 22 lakh students who take the NEET (UG) annually.

Shift to CBT and Two-Stage Exam Format

The Parliamentary Standing Committee has recommended a move from the current pen-and-paper format to a Computer-Based Test (CBT) model for major examinations, including NEET (UG). This aligns with an announcement made by Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on May 15, 2026, confirming that NEET UG would be held in CBT mode. The NTA’s current CBT infrastructure can handle approximately 1.5 lakh candidates per shift, with plans to scale this to around 10 lakh within a year, indicating a gradual transition likely starting around 2027.

Furthermore, the committee suggested examining the feasibility of a two-stage format for large examinations like NEET (UG). This proposed structure would involve a common preliminary examination followed by a specialized main examination for specific courses, such as MBBS, BDS, nursing, and AYUSH admissions. The committee noted that this could reduce avoidable competition by testing and ranking candidates seeking nursing or AYUSH admissions separately from those aspiring for MBBS.

Age and Attempt Limits for NEET-UG

Currently, the NEET (UG) examination has no limit on the number of attempts or an upper age limit, which has led to anomalies such as the participation of candidates above the age of 70. The Parliamentary Committee recommended that the Ministry of Education, in consultation with the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare and other stakeholders, explore possibilities of introducing reasonable age limits and attempt limits for all major examinations, including NEET-UG. An exception to this rule may be made only for the UGC-NET, according to the committee.

This proposal marks a potential reintroduction of an age cap, similar to one that existed for NEET until 2017 before its removal. While the shift to CBT is expected to be gradual, the age and attempt caps are described as a “Phase 2” reform, unlikely to be implemented before NEET 2028.

Strengthening NTA’s Accountability and Operations

The committee emphasized the need for a legislative mechanism to ensure the NTA’s accountability to both Houses of Parliament. It highlighted that trust in NTA examinations is crucial for social justice and national integrity, especially given the adaptive nature of networks profiting from examination fraud. The report stated, “The NTA therefore needs adequate staff, tough security protocols, clear accountability mechanisms, and digitalization of operations and examinations to ensure that it stays ahead of any challenges.”

To bolster examination security and integrity, the panel recommended several operational improvements for the NTA. These include involving government-owned and operated centres for entrance tests to reduce reliance on private centres, creating and maintaining a National Registry of blacklisted examination vendors, and investing in building a large, diverse, and continuously updated question bank. The committee stressed that NTA must rely on experts from institutions like IITs, AIIMSs, and IIMs for question bank development and translation, while also developing a system to check their track record for integrity and to rule out conflicts of interest, such as ownership or faculty positions in private coaching centres.

NTA Staffing and Infrastructure Reforms

The Parliamentary Committee also pointed out significant staffing issues within the NTA. Out of 39 sanctioned positions, only 23 officers are currently in position, resulting in a 41% vacancy. All 39 permanent posts are presently filled through a deputation mode. The committee called for the NTA to hire its own permanent officers, with a specific emphasis on specialists in psychometrics, examination security, digital infrastructure, data analytics, and examination logistics. The 16 posts under the Central Staffing Scheme should serve as a supplementary layer of senior leadership, not as a substitute for domain expertise.

A High-Powered Task Force led by Nandan Nilekani, including former ISRO Chairman S. Somanath, ex-IB Director Tapan Deka, and IIT Madras Director V. Kamakoti, is currently designing the roadmap for NEET-UG reforms. This task force is expected to provide a concrete implementation plan for secure government CBT centres and other proposed changes.

Further reading

• NEET UG 2026 Manipur round 3 registration closes October 11
• Tripura NEET UG 2026 Round 3 revised schedule out: apply by October 12
• National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (UG) application form: eligibility, dates and how to apply Next step
• KCET: Apply for SJM College of Pharmacy B.Pharm, D.Pharma, Pharm.D by 2026 admissions
• Common University Entrance Test application form: eligibility, dates and how to apply
• National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (UG): complete exam guide

Written by Nishit Kumar

Nishit Kumar is a senior EdTech industry leader with over a decade of experience in building and scaling education platforms, shaping their product, content, and growth strategy. At FindMyCollege, Nishit oversees content and editorial strategy, guiding topic selection and content frameworks to ensure accuracy, relevance, and student-first value across the website.

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