A parliamentary committee has strongly criticised the National Testing Agency (NTA) for repeated problems in major exams like NEET , CUET , and UGC NET . The committee, which looks after education, women, children, youth, and sports, suggested that NTA should consider holding exams using pen and paper again. This change, they believe, would help control exams better and stop cheating.
The committee submitted a detailed report about how NTA runs these important entrance exams. The report was led by Congress MP Digvijaya Singh . It looked closely at NTA's work and thought about whether going back to pen-and-paper exams would make them more reliable and fair for students.
Why the Committee Criticised NTA
The committee recently checked NTA's security and daily operations for tests like NEET, UGC NET, and CUET. Their report stated that NTA needs to make big changes. These changes are necessary to stop cheating and ensure fairness in exams. The committee raised concerns about recurring challenges and disruptions faced by students during these exams.
Suggestions for Better Exam Management
The committee advised NTA to study how other reliable organisations, such as the UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) and CBSE (Central Board of Secondary Education) , conduct their tests. The report highlighted that UPSC and CBSE systems are much safer and have not faced major leaks or widespread unfair means. The main message was that NTA must improve its system by following proven examples. This would ensure that all future exams are fair and trustworthy for every student.
- Shift to Pen and Paper: The committee's main suggestion is for NTA to move away from computer-based tests and conduct exams using pen and paper. They believe this method offers better control and reduces chances of external interference.
- Blacklist Unfair Means: The committee recommended strict action against those involved in cheating or using unfair methods during exams, suggesting they should be blacklisted.
- Learn from Others: NTA should adopt best practices from established exam bodies like UPSC and CBSE to improve security and fairness.
Future of NEET 2026: Pen and Paper Mode?
It is important for students to know that the parliament committee has only made a suggestion to shift to pen and paper exams. The National Testing Agency (NTA) has not yet released any official statement about this change. So, it is still not certain if NEET UG 2026 or other exams will be held in the pen-and-paper format.
The final decision on whether to adopt these changes will depend on how the government reacts to the special committee's arguments. Any specific changes to the exam format will be announced in the coming months.
Students should continue to prepare for their exams based on the current announced formats and wait for any official updates from NTA or the government.
