A computer-based testing format could have eliminated 95% [1] of the problems that led to the 2026 NEET-UG paper-leak controversy, a panel member said.

The transition to a digital format is viewed as a critical step in securing India's medical entrance exams. Because the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET-UG) determines access to medical education for thousands of students, systemic failures in the examination process undermine public trust in the meritocracy of the healthcare system.

Pankaj Bansal, a member of the Radhakrishnan panel, said that a computer-based NEET could have eliminated 95% [1] of the exam problems. The panel, chaired by former ISRO chief Dr. K. Radhakrishnan, was formed in June 2024 to address systemic issues within the testing framework administered by the National Testing Agency (NTA).

The recommendation comes amid the fallout from the 2026 paper-leak incidents. The panel's findings suggest that the traditional paper-and-pencil method is more susceptible to leaks and administrative errors than a computer-based test (CBT) environment.

"Computer-based NEET could have eliminated 95% of the exam problems," Bansal said.

The shift to CBT is intended to ensure a transparent, smooth, and fair examination process. By digitizing the delivery of the test, the NTA could reduce the physical chain of custody for exam papers, a primary vulnerability in previous cycles.

The Radhakrishnan panel's focus remains on preventing future leakages and ensuring that the integrity of the NEET-UG is maintained through technological intervention. This move would align the medical entrance exam with other major competitive tests in India that have already adopted digital formats to curb fraud.

“Computer-based NEET could have eliminated 95% of the exam problems.”

The push for computer-based testing represents a shift from human-centric security to technological security. By removing the need for physical paper distribution, the NTA can eliminate the 'leakage' points where intermediaries often compromise exam integrity. If implemented, this change would likely reduce the frequency of legal challenges and student protests that typically follow the NEET-UG exams.