NEET, CUET twice a year like JEE? Education ministry proposes major exam reforms

In short

A nine-member committee's draft, reported in September 2026, recommends holding major entrance examinations at least twice a year.
The proposals aim to reduce dependence on private coaching and strengthen school-level preparation for competitive exams.
Changes under consideration include reviewing question difficulty, considering diverse board syllabi, and providing special teacher training.
The proposed reforms, including biannual NEET and CUET, require government approval before implementation.
A unified JEE-NEET exam and shifting exam preparation to Class 11 are also under deliberation by a Parliamentary Standing Committee.

The Ministry of Education is considering substantial reforms to India’s national-level entrance examination system, including a proposal to conduct examinations like NEET UG and CUET UG twice a year, mirroring the current schedule for JEE Main. A draft prepared by a nine-member committee, formed in June 2025, outlined these recommendations, which were reported in September 2026.

These proposed changes aim to provide students with more opportunities, alleviate the pressure associated with a single annual attempt, and reduce reliance on private coaching centres. The reforms also seek to strengthen preparation at the school level and ensure entrance tests are fairer for learners from various school boards and regions across the country.

Proposed Changes to Exam Frequency and Structure

Currently, JEE Main is conducted twice a year, offering two opportunities for aspirants. However, NEET UG and CUET UG are held only once annually. The new proposal suggests that NEET and CUET aspirants would also receive an additional opportunity to appear for the exam without having to wait an entire year, potentially increasing NEET UG attempts by 20-30%. The proposed biannual sessions for JEE Main, NEET, and CUET would be held in November and April.

Beyond frequency, the reforms suggest shifting the preparation for JEE Main, NEET, and CUET examinations to begin in Class 11, aiming to reduce the burden on Class 12 for millions of applicants. A central committee of 11 members, formed on November 15, 2025, is specifically addressing student anxiety and over-reliance on coaching.

Aspect	Current System	Proposed Changes
Exam Start Class	The 12th class (end of the school year)	Class 11 (reduce Class 12 pressure)
Frequency	JEE Main: Twice (Jan/Apr); NEET/CUET: Once	All twice a year
The two months	NA	April and November
Coaching Hours	5-6 hours per day not regulated	Limited to 2-3 hours
Assessment Model	Fully NTA-conducted	Hybrid: board marks plus aptitude test
Syllabus Alignment	Vary across boards	NCERT works in conjunction with CBSE/state boards

Syllabus, Difficulty, and Teacher Training

The proposed reforms also encompass a review of the difficulty level of entrance exam questions. The committee seems like the exam pattern should not be based solely on the NCERT syllabus but should also consider curricula followed by different state and other school boards to ensure an equal playing field. NCERT is expected to synchronize syllabuses to CBSE and state boards to support this.

To further bolster school-level preparation, the Education Ministry proposes special training for school teachers. This initiative aims to equip teachers with the necessary skills to help students prepare effectively for competitive and entrance examinations, thereby reducing the perceived need for external coaching.

Broader Examination Reforms and Future Outlook

Several other significant reforms are under deliberation. The Nandan Nilekani-led High-Powered Task Force is reviewing reforms related to the conduct, security, design, and governance of public examinations. NTA officials have also informed a parliamentary standing committee that introducing an upper age limit and a maximum number of attempts for NEET are under consideration, though these are described as ‘Phase 2’ reforms, unlikely before NEET 2028. The current no-limit rule for NEET UG (no upper age limit and no cap on attempts) is likely to apply for NEET 2027.

The education minister has publicly stated that NEET UG will eventually transition from its current pen-and-paper, OMR-based format to an online computer-based test (CBT). NTA’s current CBT infrastructure can handle approximately 1.5 lakh candidates per shift, with plans to scale this capacity to around 10 lakh within a year. A unified JEE-NEET entrance exam, informally referred to as ‘One Nation, One Entrance Exam,’ is also under deliberation by a Parliamentary Standing Committee, though it remains in a ‘deliberative stage’ with no executive order issued.

Reform	Current Status	Applies To	Likely Timeline
NEET shifting to Computer-Based Test (CBT)	Direction confirmed by the Education Ministry; full rollout details pending	NEET only (JEE Main is already CBT)	Gradual shift starting around 2027; full capacity may take longer
Multi-session NEET with score normalization	Proposed, under discussion	NEET only	Tied to CBT rollout — no fixed date yet
Age limit and attempt cap for NEET	Proposed by NTA to a Parliamentary panel; not implemented	NEET only	Described as a “Phase 2” reform—unlikely before NEET 2028
Unified JEE-NEET entrance exam (“One Nation, One Entrance Exam”)	Under deliberation by a Parliamentary Standing Committee	Both JEE and NEET	No confirmed date; 2027 floated but not finalized

These proposals still need to undergo the government’s official approval process before any implementation. Students and parents are advised to await official notifications before making changes to their examination plans, continuing to follow the current syllabus, examination pattern, and official schedule for upcoming JEE, NEET, or CUET examinations.