A parliamentary panel has suggested that the NEET-UG examination be conducted two or three times a year to reduce stress on students and provide multiple opportunities to improve scores. The recommendation comes amid continued scrutiny of the medical entrance examination following recent controversies and concerns over exam management.
According to reports, members of the parliamentary committee expressed concern over repeated irregularities associated with NEET and argued that a single high-stakes examination places enormous pressure on lakhs of aspirants. Holding the test multiple times annually similar to some other national entrance examinations could help students avoid losing an entire academic year because of a poor performance, technical issue or unforeseen circumstances on exam day.
The suggestion is part of broader discussions on reforming the examination system and strengthening the functioning of the National Testing Agency (NTA). Parliamentary committees have recently reviewed the implementation of recommendations on NTA reforms examined the investigation into the NEET-UG paper leak controversy and sought measures to improve transparency, accountability and exam security.
The recommendation comes at a time when officials from the Union Health Ministry, Education Ministry, NTA and the National Medical Commission (NMC) have been appearing before parliamentary panels to explain preparations for the upcoming NEET-UG re-examination and discuss long-term reforms to the entrance test system.
Supporters of the proposal argue that multiple attempts would:
- Reduce psychological pressure on candidates.
- Minimize the impact of a single bad day.
- Allow students to improve their scores within the same academic cycle.
- Bring NEET closer to testing models that offer more than one opportunity each year.
However, the panel’s recommendation is not yet policy. The final decision on whether NEET-UG will be held multiple times annually rests with the Central Government and the relevant authorities overseeing medical admissions.
The discussion is part of a larger debate on NEET reforms which also includes proposals related to computer-based testing, exam security enhancements and other structural changes aimed at restoring confidence in the examination system.