Introduction
The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) has been marred by controversies over the years, with the National Testing Agency (NTA) facing criticism for its handling of the issues. The recent announcement to re-examine NEET 2026 and shift to Computer-Based Testing (CBT) from 2027 has raised more questions than answers.
Recurring Concerns
The NEET exam has been plagued by unusually high scores obtained by average-performing students, with many cases involving multiple members of the same family. The lack of serious investigation and institutional analysis into these anomalies has led to a lack of public accountability and closure.
CBT: A Solution or a Quick Fix?
The sudden push to convert NEET to CBT has raised concerns about whether this is a carefully evaluated reform or a panic-driven attempt to contain the crisis. The fact that CBT removes the physical transportation of printed papers but not the question bank, which is prepared by the same ecosystem of question setters, reviewers, and moderators, is a significant concern.
- Compromised question setters may leak portions of the question bank in advance.
- Collaborators could identify or leak the final subset of questions shortly before a session.
- CBT introduces additional vulnerabilities involving outsourced software vendors, contract workforce, server-side access, cybersecurity risks, and examination center operators.
Conclusion
The shift to CBT may not necessarily solve the deeper problems of the NEET exam. The lack of transparency and accountability in the question-setting process, combined with the potential for compromised question setters and collaborators, raises serious concerns about the integrity of the exam. Ultimately, the credibility of the NEET exam depends on the integrity of the question-setting process and the transparency of the examination system.
Source: Original Article
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