New Delhi, 15 May 

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Friday announced that the NEET-UG re-examination will be held on 21 June, and said the medical entrance exam will be a computer-based test from next year onwards as part of reforms in view of allegations of irregularities linked to it.

Addressing a press conference, Pradhan said students' future remains the government's topmost priority, adding that there will be "zero tolerance" for any irregularities found in the conduct of the NEET-UG. Strict action is being taken, he said.

National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (Undergraduate) held on 3 May was cancelled following allegations of irregularities in the examination process.

Informing that the duration of the re-test has been extended by 15 minutes, Pradhan said the candidates will also get to choose their preferred test cities again and that they will get their admit cards by 14 June, he said.

The central government will also coordinate transport arrangements for the students with the state governments, he said.

"Our topmost priority is the future of the students. I want to appeal to society, especially to all students, to appear for the examination without fear. The government stands with you. We will not let malpractice happen this time," he said.

"We did not want any mafia conspiracy or money power to snatch away your seat. We did not want that to happen. That is why we had to make a tough decision. As guardians, as officials entrusted with responsibility, and as a minister, we are all deeply saddened and concerned by what has happened," the minister said.

The minister said after irregularities surfaced last time, the Radhakrishnan Committee was constituted, and its recommendations were implemented.

"Despite that, this incident occurred. Therefore, our first step was to cancel the examination," he said.

"To those creating fear and disturbances, I want to say through you: stay away from the upcoming examination process. Otherwise, they will have to face punishment," Pradhan added.

The education minister explained that the issue came to light after objections were received through the NTA grievance system regarding alleged overlaps with "guess papers", following which a preliminary inquiry was initiated.

"The examination was conducted on 3 May. By 7 May, objections were received through the NTA's grievance redressal system stating that certain questions appearing in the alleged 'guess papers' had also appeared in this year's question set.

"Immediately, discussions were held, and both the NTA and the government, along with the Higher Education Department, initiated a preliminary inquiry," he said.

Pradhan said then the matter was then handed over to the concerned agencies of the Government of India.

"The process effectively began on the night of 7 May and continued from 8 May onward. Within three to four days... on the 8th, 9th, 10th, and 11th... when we received clarity and became certain that questions had indeed been leaked under the guise of 'guess papers', we took action on 12 May in the interest of students.

"We did not want any deserving student to be deprived of their rights because of the conspiracy of education mafias or because an undeserving candidate benefited through unfair means," the minister said.

He said the government has handed over the case to the CBI and expressed confidence in the probe. "CBI has rightly said... no one will be spared. Whether someone is within the NTA or outside it, no one will be spared," he said.

The CBT mode of exam is comparatively better than OMR. It is a bit protected. Cybercrime has become a big world in itself. There are challenges, however, we will have to trust the system of our country," Pradhan said.

The minister said students will also be given the option to select the cities where they want to appear for the re-test. "The NTA has decided to give students one week to choose their preferred examination city for re-test," he said, adding NTA has decided to extend the examination duration by 15 minutes.

"The exam, which was scheduled from 2pm to 5pm, will now continue till 5.15pm," he said.

He said the admit cards for this examination will be issued to all candidates by 14 June. The minister said the Centre will coordinate with states for transport arrangements, and he will personally speak to the chief ministers.

"The Government of India will speak to the states regarding the arrangement of transport facilities," he said, adding that NTA is also considering weather-related contingency arrangements for 21 June.

The press conference by Pradhan comes after a high-level meeting was held late on Thursday evening at the minister's residence to review preparations for conducting the exam afresh.