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The centre has informed the Supreme Court that it is considering conducting NEET-UG as a computer-based test, either in a single stage or a JEE-style two-stage format. A final decision will be taken after reviewing the HPTF's recommendations.

The Centre has informed the Supreme Court that it is considering conducting NEET-UG as a Computer-Based Test (CBT), either as a single-stage examination or a two-stage examination on the lines of JEE Main and JEE Advanced. The proposal was placed before the apex court in an affidavit filed in the ongoing proceedings on reforms in the National Testing Agency (NTA) following the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak.

Possible changes to exam format

According to , the Centre will make the final decision on the examination format after considering the recommendations of the High-Powered Task Force (HPTF) on examination reforms, led by Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani. The affidavit stated that NEET-UG is the only major NTA examination still conducted in pen-and-paper mode, whereas seven of the NTA's eight major examinations, including JEE (Main), CUET (UG), CUET (PG), UGC-NET, and CSIR-NET, are already conducted as computer-based tests across multiple sessions.

The Centre told the court that NEET-UG is a one-of-a-kind examination due to its scale, with over 22 lakh registered candidates, the majority of whom are women and come from rural areas. It also stated that the examination determines admissions to MBBS, BDS, AYUSH, Veterinary, and Nursing programmes, and that any structural changes would be made only after consultations with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the National Medical Commission (NMC). Candidates, it added, would be given sufficient advance notice of any changes to the examination pattern.