Parliamentary panel to review issues related to NEET, NTA, CBSE exams
New Delhi, June 1
The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education, Women, Children, Youth and Sports will hold key meetings in the national capital on Monday and Tuesday to discuss several important issues concerning NEET, the National Testing Agency, CBSE examination reforms, and broader education policy matters.
Beginning at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, the Committee will deliberate on issues related to NEET and the NTA, including the ongoing debate over conducting examinations through the traditional pen-and-paper mode versus Computer-Based Tests (CBTs). The Committee will also consider concerns and suggestions raised by various stakeholders regarding the examination process.
The meeting will be attended by the Secretary of the Department of Higher Education, the Secretary of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the Director General of the NTA, and Dr. (Major) Gulshan Garg, representing the United Doctors Front.
On June 2, also commencing at 11:00 a.m., discussions will focus on the implementation of On-Screen Marking (OSM) in Class 12 CBSE examinations and the challenges faced by students as a result of the system. The Committee will also review the status of the implementation of the Three-Language Formula in Classes 9 and 10.
The meeting will be attended by the Secretary of the Department of School Education and Literacy and the Chairman of the CBSE.
These meetings come amid heightened scrutiny of the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak case. Members of a parliamentary panel, during a meeting held on May 29, emphasised the need to safeguard the sanctity of the NEET-UG examination and address loopholes in the system while reviewing the ongoing investigation being conducted by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), according to sources.
The NTA is scheduled to conduct the NEET-UG 2026 re-examination on June 21, while admit cards are expected to be released by June 14. The agency had announced the cancellation of the NEET-UG examination on May 12, triggering widespread concern among candidates and their families.
Last week, the Standing Committee also sought an update from the NTA Director General on the progress of the paper leak investigation and the measures being taken to prevent similar incidents in the future. Sources said the NTA chief informed members that the leak did not originate from the agency's systems and that the CBI was investigating the source of the leaked question paper.
The Committee also reviewed preparations for transitioning NEET-UG to a computer-based format from next year, including infrastructure requirements, examination frequency, and duration. As part of its investigation into the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak case, the CBI has arrested 13 individuals, including a doctor from Latur and a faculty member associated with a Pune-based coaching institute.
— IANS
Reader Comments
As someone who works in education tech abroad, I find India's exam system fascinating but problematic. On-screen marking for CBSE is smart but requires massive infrastructure upgrades. The pen-paper vs CBT debate misses the point - focus on preventing leaks first, delivery mode second. My concern is fairness - urban students always benefit more from tech transitions.
Meanwhile, students in small towns like my hometown in Maharashtra are panicking. The NEET cancellation was traumatic - many had to arrange extra accommodation and travel. I appreciate the panel's work but implementation matters more. The 13 arrests show systemic failure. Our children's futures can't be thrown around like this. Hope the Committee addresses student mental health too. 🙏
The three-language formula is a political tangle. As an outsider observing India, I see how it affects competitive exams. Students need flexibility - forced Hindi imposition harms southern states, while ignoring regional languages hurts rural students. NEET shouldn't become a language test masked as a medical one. Public school systems need strengthening first.
I'm a doctor from a small town - the NTA mess affects real lives. Paper leaks mean honest students lose seats to cheats. Computer-based exams are fine but need robust back-up systems. Why are we still debating OSM for Class 12? My niece's answer sheets were scanned wrong last year! Can someone ensure basic infrastructure before fancy reforms? Frustrating beyond words. 😤
Respectfully, the Committee needs to look at root causes - coaching centre mafia creating artificial pressure, not just exam modes. The Pune arrest confirms how deep the racket
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.