The Ministry of Education is working on a national computer-based testing (CBT) infrastructure strategy that could pave the way for conducting the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET-UG) online, as reported by P…

The Ministry of Education is working on a national computer-based testing (CBT) infrastructure strategy that could pave the way for conducting the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET-UG) online, as reported by PTI.The move comes after the Centre announced that NEET-UG would be shifted from its existing pen-and-paper format to CBT mode from next year following the paper leak controversy. However, a final decision on the transition is yet to be taken.Officials told PTI that the government is awaiting the recommendations of a high-level task force headed by Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani, which was set up to suggest reforms to India’s public examination system.Paper leak: NTA debars Latur coaching centre owner’s son from NEET-UG exam for two yearsCentre working on national CBT infrastructureAccording to a senior Ministry of Education official cited by PTI, the proposed strategy is aimed at creating examination-grade infrastructure across the country and addressing differences in the availability and quality of computer-based test centres.The framework is expected to focus on expanding access to test centres, setting common infrastructure standards and enabling exams that are currently conducted on paper to move to computer-based testing.The strategy is being considered under a multi-model sourcing architecture, the official said.The government is also examining the infrastructure requirements and other challenges involved in shifting NEET-UG to CBT, added PTI.NEET transition still under considerationThe possible shift of NEET-UG to CBT involves several aspects, including how the transition would be implemented, the sequence in which changes would be introduced and the infrastructure that would be required.NEET-UG may gradually move to CBT, multi-session format, Centre tells Supreme CourtThe Ministry is also examining the equity implications of moving the examination online, particularly for candidates from rural areas, women candidates and districts with limited internet connectivity.However, the final recommendations of the high-level task force are still awaited. The official said its recommendations would also need to be considered in consultation with the Health Ministry and the National Medical Commission (NMC).NTA already conducts several exams onlineThe National Testing Agency (NTA), which conducts NEET-UG, already uses CBT mode for several major entrance and eligibility examinations, including Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main, Common University Entrance Test (CUET), University Grants Commission-National Eligibility Test (UGC-NET) and more.NTA invites applications from educators, researchers for empanelment as subject matter expertsThe proposed national infrastructure strategy could eventually allow more entrance examinations currently held in pen-and-paper mode to shift to CBT.NEET-UG, however, has continued to be conducted using the traditional pen-and-paper format.NEET paper leakThe proposal to move NEET-UG online is part of a wider overhaul of the examination system following the paper leak controversy earlier this year.The controversy led to nationwide student protests and the resignation of then Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.A day after Pradhan’s resignation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the formation of a high-powered task force headed by Nandan Nilekani to recommend measures to make India’s examination system more secure and prevent paper leaks. The task force has not yet submitted its report.The idea of conducting NEET-UG in computer-based mode, however, is not new. The possibility has been discussed on several occasions in the past.The latest push comes in the context of the broader examination reforms being considered after the paper leak controversy.

Source: Deccan Herald