NEET-UG 2027 May Go Fully Online: CBT Exam Likely Over 5 Days Across 1,000 Centres

India's medical entrance exam is set for its biggest transformation yet. NEET-UG 2027 is expected to shift entirely to a computer based test, or CBT format , conducted over five to six days across nearly 1,000 examination centres spanning 500 cities . The move marks arguably the most sweeping change in the exam's history, aimed squarely at plugging the security gaps that have haunted India's medical entrance system for years.

Under the proposed plan, each centre would accommodate around 500 candidates daily , allowing the National Testing Agency, or NTA , to process roughly five lakh aspirants every single day across the multi day window. Most testing centres are expected to be government institutions , including Kendriya Vidyalayas and Navodaya Vidyalayas , with select reputed private institutions also likely roped in to handle the sheer scale of India's largest entrance examination.

The overhaul comes directly in the shadow of this year's chaos. NEET-UG 2026 descended into controversy after a paper leak forced the cancellation of the original May 3 examination , in which roughly 22 lakh candidates had already appeared. The fallout triggered a fresh retest, nationwide protests, and an ongoing CBI investigation , exposing just how vulnerable the traditional pen and paper format had become to organized cheating networks.

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan had confirmed back on May 15 that NEET-UG would transition away from pen and paper testing starting next year, a decision rooted in recommendations from a seven member committee headed by former ISRO chairman K Radhakrishnan , originally constituted in 2024 following an earlier leak scandal. Sources indicate the government now plans a complete top to bottom revamp of the NTA itself, touching everything from organisational structure and infrastructure to technology and internal processes, with the entire exercise targeted for completion before October .

Not everyone is convinced the digital pivot alone solves India's exam security crisis. Members of Parliament have already flagged concerns over the switch, specifically urging safeguards for students from marginalised and digitally disadvantaged backgrounds who may lack easy access to computer based testing environments. A detailed notification covering shift timings, exact test cities, and further logistics is expected only once the broader NTA restructuring is finalised.