States unanimous on shift to Computer-based exams; government centres

New Delhi: State governments have almost unanimously backed the idea of switching to Computer Based Testing (CBT) for entrance exams at a September 1 meeting with the Nandan Nilekani-led High Powered Task Force (HPTF) on exam reforms, ET has learnt.

States are strongly in favour of creating government-backed testing infrastructure and centres and ensuring high quality standards at all testing centres including private sector managed ones, it is gathered.

A Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) like model to help fund establishment of testing centres across states -- both from the scratch and in existing government schools/colleges/institutes -- was also discussed at the meet.


Some states, ET has learnt, raised concerns about the quality of testing infrastructure available currently. With just 1-2 private companies running the country's CBT/online testing infrastructure, there is a serious shortage of capacity and often leads to usage of sub-standard testing centres.

Several testing centres are known to accommodate far more students than actual seat availability and are often faced with server connectivity issues and power cuts, resulting in exam disruptions.

Testing centres, therefore, and in keeping with the Radhakrishnan panel recommendations is set to be a major pitch from the HPTF.

The Nilekani panel, ET gathers, strongly pitched for CBT and online testing format supported with end-to-end digitisation of the testing process, at the meet.

Strengthening the National Testing Agency (NTA) and test execution agencies in states was also a key focus area in the deliberations with chief secretaries and senior official from all state/ union territory governments.

The HPTF, announced by the Centre, amid escalating student protests over the NEET-UG 2026 leak and cancellation, has held three major rounds of discussions so far with various stakeholders from union ministries and departments involved to state governments.

Last week, it also sought feedback from the public which will be accepted until September 13.

The panel, as ET earlier reported, aims at readying an action plan in advance so that changes may be effected in the 2027 exam cycle of NEET-UG and other entrance exams.

The HPTF is keenly looking at ways to enable a multi-day and multi-shift computer-based testing (CBT) switch for NEET-UG besides funding and readying a battery of government backed test centres and securing them through strong coordination with state governments.

That was the key reason for the HPTF holding a separate discussion with state governments before finalising its recommendations.

While the panel has three months (until October end) to submit its report, ET gathers that all effort are on to ensure that its recommendations are readied well before that , to allow the government enough time to plan and effect changes in the conduct of entrance exams from the 2027 cycle itself.

The HPTF has a ten-point Terms of Reference to consider, ranging from the measures to reform the exam design and conduct to leveraging latest technologies for the same besides strengthening the NTA.