Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Friday announced that the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET UG) 2026 will be conducted entirely in the Computer-based Test (CBT) mode from next year onwards. Notably, the announcement comes in the wake of the massive paper leak controversy, owing to which this year’s medical entrance exam was cancelled. 

While addressing reporters at a press conference amid mounting criticism over the integrity of the exam process, Pradhan admitted that the Optical Mark Recognition (OMR)-based format became vulnerable to manipulation. He said, “The root cause of this was OMR, and thus, from next year, the exam will be conducted in the Computer-based Test mode,” adding that CBI is far more fool-proof in comparison. Annually, close to 22 lakh candidates take the exam for admission to undergraduate courses in the medical discipline. 

Candidates to get 15 mins extra during retest, exam to be conducted again on this date

The Education Minister went on to say that candidates taking the NEET UG 2026 retest will be given an additional 15 minutes during the test. He stressed the government’s focus on students, saying, “The future of students and sensitivity towards their hard work remain our priority.” 

Notably, NTA has announced the date for the NEET UG 2026 re-exam on Friday. The exam will be held again on June 21, 2026, while fresh admit cards shall be released by the NTA on June 14 on the official portal. 

The NTA had clarified on Thursday that no fresh registrations would be required for the re-test. 

“Long battle against exam mafias”: Pradhan

Elaborating further on the paper leak controversy, Pradhan described the situation as a ‘long battle against exam mafias and anti-social elements.’ He acknowledged that despite the implementation of recommendations extended by the Radhakrishnan Commission, the command chain had been compromised. He remarked, “It is becoming a challenge in the age of technology. The CBI, however, has begun acting swiftly, and this time, it will go to the bottom of the matter.” 

No chances of dismantling NTA

The Minister, while speaking on the issue, also ruled out the possibility of dismantling the NTA, amid growing demands of accountability. He said, “There is no question of scrapping the agency. Either of the agencies has to conduct the exam. We need stronger reform to curtail issues like paper leak.”