New Delhi: Practically two years after the NEET-UG 2024 paper leak controversy and following the unprecedented cancellation of NEET-UG 2026, central govt is inspecting a hybrid examination model under which query papers might be digitally transmitted to centres and printed domestically under safe situations. Officers stated that is being thought-about a safer different as a result of conducting a totally on-line exam for 23 lakh candidates stays tough as a consequence of infrastructure and logistical challenges.
A senior well being ministry official stated discussions on potential reforms in NEET are anticipated in coming days between well being ministry, Nationwide Medical Fee (NMC) and Nationwide Testing Company (NTA), together with whether or not elements of the examination course of may be digitised.
Officers stated the proposed “computer-assisted safe paper-based check”, advisable by Radhakrishnan Committee, is rising as a potential center path between absolutely offline and absolutely computer-based examinations. Under the proposal, encrypted query papers can be despatched to confidential servers at exam centres or regional hubs shortly earlier than the exam and printed domestically utilizing high-speed safe printers.
“The concept is to cut back handbook dealing with factors throughout transportation and storage of query papers, that are thought-about weak levels,” an official stated, including that printing exam papers nearer to examination time may cut back dangers of leaks.
In keeping with officers, the hybrid system may retain benefits of a single-day, single-paper offline examination — avoiding controversies over normalisation and ranging issue ranges throughout shifts — whereas persevering with to permit a lot of centres, together with these in smaller cities and rural areas, to host the exam.
One other senior official stated shifting NEET absolutely on-line was tough due to the exam’s sheer scale and issues linked to multiple-shift testing. “India at the moment lacks infrastructure to conduct a single-day computer-based exam for almost 25 lakh college students. At finest, just one to 1.5 lakh candidates may be accommodated every day. A number of shifts would carry into play problems with normalisation, equity and comparisons throughout classes,” the official stated.
The official added that many NEET aspirants from smaller cities and rural areas might not be equally accustomed to computer-based testing. In contrast to offline exams carried out in colleges throughout districts, on-line assessments require specialised centres, steady web, uninterrupted electrical energy and technical manpower.
Officers stated a totally on-line system may additionally considerably cut back the variety of centres and power many college students to journey to bigger cities. Cyber-security dangers, server failures and technical disruptions are additionally points to be thought-about. Any transition, they stated, would require months of preparation, together with infrastructure growth, mock assessments and pupil familiarisation workouts.
The hybrid system, nonetheless, would nonetheless require pilot testing, infrastructure evaluation and detailed operational protocols earlier than rollout. “These are nonetheless discussions and nothing has been finalised but. However after repeated controversies in recent times, there’s broad settlement that reforms are wanted,” an official stated.
The Radhakrishnan Committee was constituted after NEET-UG 2024 controversy to suggest reforms for strengthening examination safety and transparency.
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