In 2025, the National Testing Agency (NTA) will undergo significant restructuring to focus exclusively on conducting higher education entrance exams like NEET-UG 2025, CUET-UG 2025, and UGC NET 2025, as announced by Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
The restructuring comes after months of scrutiny and complaints regarding the security of exams such as NEET-UG, CUET-UG, and UGC NET. A report from the expert panel, appointed in June 2024, highlights the need for enhanced security measures, streamlined procedures, and greater transparency. The panel has made several recommendations to revamp the conduct of these crucial exams, aiming to curb malpractices and establish a more dependable testing system for millions of students across India.
Join NEET News 2025 Restructuring to Focus Exclusively on Educational Entrance Exams
Under the new restructuring, the NTA will dedicate itself entirely to conducting entrance exams for higher education, including NEET-UG, CUET-UG, UGC NET, and other university-level assessments. This change addresses long-standing concerns about exam integrity, such as paper leaks in NEET-UG and irregularities in CUET-UG and UGC NET. By transitioning away from handling recruitment exams, the agency will focus on improving security and fairness in these critical tests.
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan stated that this move is part of a broader government effort to streamline the NTA’s functions and respond to feedback from students, educational institutions, and other stakeholders. “From 2025 onwards, the NTA will exclusively conduct entrance exams for higher education and will no longer manage recruitment exams,” he announced, highlighting the clarity this shift will bring to the agency’s responsibilities.
Changes to NEET-UG, CUET-UG, and UGC NET Exam Format
As part of the restructuring, there is a proposal to adopt a more technology-driven format for NEET-UG 2025, CUET-UG 2025, and UGC NET 2025. The Ministry of Education is currently consulting with the Ministry of Health to decide whether NEET-UG 2025 will continue in its traditional pen-and-paper mode or transition to a Computer-Based Test (CBT). Meanwhile, UGC NET 2025 is expected to adopt the CBT format, ensuring greater efficiency, transparency, and security. These discussions underscore a commitment to modernizing the examination process and improving accessibility for students nationwide.
Enhanced Leadership and Staffing for NTA
The committee has recommended bolstering the NTA’s leadership by appointing a director-general at the rank of Additional Secretary under the Central Staffing Scheme. Additionally, the restructuring will establish at least 10 specialized verticals, each led by directors with expertise in areas such as technology, operations, test security, and surveillance. This structured approach aims to enhance exam management comprehensively.
Formation of Sub-Committees for Greater Transparency
To address past concerns, the committee proposed the creation of sub-committees dedicated to test audits, ethics, transparency, and staff conditions, as well as managing stakeholder relationships. These measures are designed to ensure that the NTA operates transparently, ethically, and securely, effectively addressing issues like those observed in previous exams, including NEET-UG, CUET-UG, and UGC NET.
