Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said Friday that the NEET-UG exam will transition to a Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode starting in 2027 [1].

The move follows a significant breach in the examination process that compromised the integrity of the national medical entrance test. By eliminating physical OMR sheets, the government aims to remove the primary vulnerability used by fraudsters to leak papers and manipulate results.

Pradhan said the root cause of the recent paper leak was the use of OMR sheets [2]. The original NEET exam, held on May 3, 2026, was compromised [3]. Following the event, a formal complaint regarding the leak was lodged on May 7, 2026 [4].

To address the breach, a verification process began on May 8 and lasted four days, concluding on May 12, 2026 [5]. In response to these failures, the government has scheduled a re-examination for June 21, 2026 [6].

Pradhan said the government takes responsibility for the breach, describing it as a failure in the command chain [7]. He said that the transition to a digital format is necessary to protect the future of medical aspirants.

"Will not let malpractice happen again," Pradhan said [8].

He said that the administration will ensure that such malpractice does not recur [9]. Pradhan said that deserving students will not be deprived by fraudulent practices [10].

The shift to CBT is intended to streamline the delivery of the exam and reduce the window of opportunity for physical paper theft or leakage, a persistent issue in India's high-stakes testing environment. The ministry indicated that the 2027 cycle will be the first to fully implement the online system.

“"Will not let malpractice happen again,"”

The transition to a Computer-Based Test represents a systemic shift in India's approach to high-stakes testing. By moving away from paper-and-pencil formats, the Ministry of Education is attempting to mitigate the logistical vulnerabilities of transporting and storing physical documents, which have historically been the weakest link in the security chain. However, the success of this move will depend on the government's ability to secure digital infrastructure against cyber-attacks and ensure equitable access to computer centers across rural regions.