NEET could be moved to online mode: experts to central Govt.

new delhi: a committee led by former isro chief k. radhakrishnan has recommended shifting the national eligibility cum entrance test (neet) to an online format to reduce issues such as exam malpractices and logistical challenges. the report, submitted to the union ministry of education, outlines proposed reforms aimed at enhancing the examination's integrity and accessibility.the neet revision committee, formed to propose reforms for the medical entrance examination, has suggested transitioning the exam to an online mode. this recommendation comes in response to longstanding concerns over the security of neet, which has faced issues like question paper leaks and coaching center malpractice, causing stress among students and parents.the committee conducted extensive research on possible improvements, presenting a detailed report to the union ministry of education. key recommendations include conducting the neet exam online whenever possible, along with increasing in-house examination centers to lessen dependency on outsourced locations.for cases where online testing is unfeasible, the committee proposes a secure digital transfer of question papers, allowing candidates to complete answers on omr sheets directly. this step aims to minimize handling and potential tampering with answer sheets.additionally, the committee suggests placing restrictions on the number of times candidates can attempt neet. it also proposes a tiered examination format similar to that of the jee (mains and advanced), allowing more nuanced assessment levels.the central government is expected to review these recommendations, which could pave the way for a modernized and secure neet examination process.