Parliamentary Panel Recommends Multi-Phase NEET, Reviews Reforms to Strengthen Exam System

New Delhi: A Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education, Women, Children, Youth and Sports on Wednesday reviewed the conduct of the NEET-UG 2026 re-examination and discussed a range of reforms aimed at making India's national medical entrance examination system more secure, transparent and efficient.

The meeting focused on the functioning of the National Testing Agency (NTA), the management of the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET), and measures to improve the integrity of future examinations.

According to sources, members of the committee suggested holding separate entrance examinations for MBBS, AYUSH and Nursing courses to reduce the large number of candidates appearing for a single test. However, the NTA said the proposal was not feasible at present since admissions to all three programmes are currently based on NEET scores.

The panel also recommended exploring the possibility of conducting NEET in multiple phases across different states. Members said such a system could help ease the logistical challenges of organising a nationwide examination on a single day.

Advertisement

The committee, chaired by Mukul Wasnik, appreciated the conduct of the NEET-UG 2026 re-examination and commended the enhanced security arrangements put in place for the test.

According to sources, the NTA informed the panel that it had introduced several additional safeguards during the re-examination, including restricting access to Telegram, monitoring WhatsApp channels, and redesigning the question paper to make it more secure and resistant to leaks. The committee described these measures as important steps towards strengthening the credibility of the examination process.

The panel also stressed that any future shift to a computer-based NEET should only be implemented after ensuring adequate digital infrastructure is available across the country. It said the transition should be carefully planned to guarantee equal access and a level playing field for all candidates.

With inputs from IANS