NEET-UG 2027 may retain pen-and-paper option as southern states push back against exam overhaul

New Delhi: The Centre's ambitious examination reform plan, being formulated by the Nilekani panel, has hit a roadblock, with strong reservations from southern states, ET has learnt.

This means the possibility of NEET-UG 2027 continuing in the pen-and-paper format cannot be ruled out, despite the 2026 paper leak fiasco. Essentially, the much-anticipated comprehensive exam reforms will now be rolled out from 2028-29 onwards, after a consensus is reached with the states.

The High-Powered Task Force (HPTF) is learnt to have divided its recommendations into two segments - long-term measures, which will come into effect from the 2028-29 cycle, and immediate measures outlining the way forward for the 2027 cycle.

The latter is now likely to involve the continuation of the pen-and-paper format alongside computer-based testing (CBT) for NEET-UG. Under the proposed arrangement, NEET-UG could be conducted in multiple shifts in the CBT format, similar to JEE, with the pen-and-paper exam being conducted in such shifts, it is gathered. The JEE exam structure will remain unchanged for 2027 and has already been notified by the NTA.

While the ultimate objective is to shift NEET-UG to the CBT mode and, over the longer term, to Computer Adaptive Testing, a JEE-like gradual transition in the next two to three years is now being considered to ensure familiarising students with CBT while also preparing exam infrastructure across states for a full transition, ET has reliably learnt. Much of the concern stems from the over 54,000 suggestions and feedback received by the HPTF, besides strong opposition from southern states.

The Nilekani panel, which now has until January 2027 to submit its report, will begin marathon meetings with top leadership in several southern states from this week onwards, followed by consultations with other states to build a pan-India consensus on the implementation of exam reforms, ET has learnt.

Southern roadblock

ET has gathered that the strongest reservations have come from Tamil Nadu and Kerala, particularly over the possible impact of CBT on rural students, the need to give greater weightage to school board marks, and the issue of equivalence among different school boards. Suggestions from parents and the general public also echo these concerns. Tamil Nadu, for instance, is learnt to have shared insights from the 2021 Justice AK Rajan Committee report on the impact of NEET on the state. The report highlighted that NEET-UG admissions were less favourable to Tamil-medium students, students from government schools and those under the state board, besides students from disadvantaged categories.

Other states have sought greater focus and weightage on school board scores, along with appropriate normalisation and equivalence mechanisms. Concerns have also been raised that students from non-CBSE boards are at a disadvantage, as NEET-UG and JEE-like exams are largely based on the CBSE syllabus. The impact of a CBT shift on rural and marginalised students, owing to the rural-urban digital divide, has been flagged. Suggestions have called for CBT practice and familiarisation sessions to be conducted before such a transition for NEET-UG.