New Delhi: A Parliamentary panel, on Wednesday, recommended separate entrance examinations for MBBS, AYUSH, and Nursing courses to reduce the number of candidates appearing for the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET).
The panel reviewed the NEET UG 2026 re-examination held on June 21 before suggesting this change.
Members of the panel have said that separate entrance tests could ease the burden on the examination which currently serves as the common entrance examination for admissions to all three programmes, NDTV reported.
The panel was, however, informed by the National Testing Agency (NTA) that conducting separate examinations would not be practical, as admissions to MBBS, AYUSH, and Nursing courses are presently based on NEET scores.
It has also been suggested by members that NEET be conducted in multiple phases across states to reduce the logistical burden of organising the examination nationwide on a single day.
During the meeting, the NTA briefed members on the enhanced security measures adopted for the re-examination, including restricting access to Telegram, monitoring WhatsApp channels, and redesigning the question paper to minimise the risk of leaks.
Members appreciated the conduct of the re-examination, describing it as “secure and well-managed.” On the proposal to shift NEET to a computer-based format, the committee advised that any such move should be considered only after ensuring robust digital infrastructure across the country and completing all necessary preparations well in advance.
NTA director general Abhishek Singh, higher education secretary Vineet Joshi, and former ISRO chairman K Radhakrishnan, who heads the steering committee overseeing the implementation of NTA reforms, appeared before the panel chaired by Congress MP Mukul Wasnik.
