After NEET UG paper leak, education minister Dharmendra Pradhan announces computer-based exams from next year
Dharmendra Pradhan (PTI file photo)
New Delhi: Union Education Minister Dr Dharmendra Pradhan Announced on Friday that the NEET UG exams will be computer-based from next year, while clarifying the alleged irregularities in the exam, he said the government has “zero tolerance for malpractices.“His announcement came days after there was a huge uproar after the NEET UG 2026 exam question paper was leaked.Dharmendra Pradhan said, “The main reason for this was OMR and hence from next year the exam will be held in computer-based test (CBT) mode.”Pradhan said, Dr National Testing Agency The test soon received a complaint and an investigation was immediately initiated.He said that the new date of re-examination has been announced on June 21… The exam was held on 3rd May and on 7th May, NTA received a complaint that there were some questions in the hypothesis paper which were present in the question paper this time. The higher education department started an immediate investigation and handed it over to the government agency… They contacted the state agencies and by May 12th, we confirmed that, under the guise of an estimate paper, the actual exam questions had indeed been leaked…”Explaining the rationale behind the decision, he added, “We did not want any deserving student to be deprived of their rights due to the tricks of fraudulent candidates or the machinations of the education mafia… This decision has evoked two different opinions across the country—especially among the student community. We accept the decision and we both consider it our responsibility to consider the situation...”Pradhan added “We have zero tolerance for corruption and it’s a long fight against the exam mafia… Various social media handles are trying to spread misinformation, the system is being challenged and in view of this, the investigation has been handed over to the CBI, who has initiated immediate action. It will go into the depths of the breach…”
Should the government take strict measures against examination irregularities?
“We will not allow any misdeeds to happen this time… We are all very sad and worried about the candidates, but in the interest of the nation we have to take this difficult decision…” he said.The NTA, meanwhile, announced earlier in the day that the NEET UG re-examination will now be conducted on Sunday, June 21. The decision comes amid widespread criticism and backlash over alleged flaws in the conduct of examinations and the handling of the complaints process.
