NEW DELHI: Union Govt has announced that the cancelled NEET-UG medical entrance exam will be re-conducted on June 21.
In a major structural reform aimed at curbing malpractice, Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan also revealed that the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (Undergraduate) will permanently transition from the traditional pen-and-paper format to a Computer-Based Test (CBT) starting next year.
The initial May 3 examination was cancelled following a preliminary government inquiry which confirmed that question papers had been leaked under the guise of “guess papers.”
Key Timelines and Candidate Instructions
The National Testing Agency (NTA) has opened a limited correction window for affected candidates:
-
Correction Window: From May 15 to May 21 (till 11:50 PM), candidates can log onto the official NTA website to update their present address and select their first and second choices for preferred exam cities. No other profile changes will be permitted.
-
Admit Cards: Exam city intimations and admit cards will be issued by June 14.
Operational Changes to the Re-Test
While next year’s exam will move online, the June 21 re-test will remain an offline, pen-and-paper exam conducted in 13 languages. However, two key operational changes have been introduced:
-
Extended Duration: The exam window has been extended by 15 minutes. It will now run from 2:00 PM to 5:15 PM (including time for administrative formalities).
-
Logistical Support: The central government is coordinating with state authorities to ensure smooth transport facilities for students. The NTA is also putting weather-related contingency plans in place for the June test date.
Investigation and Systematic Reforms
The leak came to light after the NTA’s grievance-redressal system flagged overlapping questions between student-submitted “guess papers” and the actual exam within days of the May 3 test. Following a four-day internal probe, the Ministry cancelled the exam on May 12 and subsequently handed the investigation over to the CBI. Addressing the shift to digital testing, Pradhan acknowledged the evolving challenges of cybercrime but maintained that the CBT mode offers far greater security and protection against leaks than the existing OMR sheet system.