In a major revamp, the NTA has decided to change the operating system of NEET-UG from ‘top to bottom’. “We are going to change the entire organisation of the NTA, from top to bottom,” sources said, adding that the exercise is expected to be completed before October. There are around 150 posts sanctioned in the NTA.
Officials from the autonomous body revealed the decision stemmed from a recommendation by the high-powered seven-member committee headed by former ISRO chairman K Radhakrishnan, constituted by the Centre in 2024 in the wake of a paper leak that year. The revamp will include changes in organization, infrastructure, technology, and processes.
According to the report, NEET UG exams from next year will be held across five-six days at around 1,000 centres in 500 cities, mainly government institutions such as Kendriya Vidyalayas, with around 5 lakh candidates to be accommodated each day,
As per the preliminary details, sources said, each centre will accomdate 500 students every day. A detailed notification, including shift timings, the list of test cities and other details, is expected to be issued after the proposed NTA revamp is completed.
While announcing the retest date on may 15, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan had mentioned the shift from pen paper mode to computer based mode from next year. He had revealed that the change was suggested by the Radhakrishnan lead committee hinting at major changes in the near.
The revamp comes in the wake of the paper leak this year that stirred huge controversies revealed gaps in the education system, and coerced several students to commit suicide. Around 22 lakh student had appeared for the exam that got cancelled.