Parliamentary panel recommends age limit, cap on attempts for NEET-UG

NEW DELHI: A parliamentary panel has recommended that the Centre introduce an age limit and restrict the number of attempts for NEET-UG, the medical entrance examination. The recommendation comes amid reports of candidates above the age of 70 appearing for the test. The panel has also suggested replacing the current pen-and-paper format with a computer-based test (CBT).

The recommendations are part of a report on strengthening the functioning of the National Testing Agency (NTA), prepared by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education, Women, Children, Youth and Sports. The panel has called for comprehensive changes to examination security following the cancellation of NEET-UG 2026 due to a question paper leak.

It has recommended setting up examination centres in every district under the ownership and control of the Central and state governments. The panel also called for reducing dependence on private centres and subcontracting agencies.

Other recommendations include creating a secure digital question bank, strengthening cybersecurity systems and deploying permanent expert staff to manage examinations. The panel has also suggested considering a two-stage format for major entrance examinations. If computer-based tests are conducted across multiple sessions, the method used to normalise marks should be transparent and independently verifiable. Candidates who arrive late should be allowed to take the examination for the remaining duration without being granted extra time, the panel recommended.