RTI Activist Urges NTA to Reconsider NEET UG 2025 Age Limits and Exam Format for Fairness
In a letter Dr. Vivek Pandey Warns National Testing Agency (NTA) That Proposed Age Limits and Multi-Session Exam Format Could Disadvantage Underprivileged Students, Advocates for a Two-Stage Exam Model to Reduce Stress and Maintain Fairness
Right to Information (RTI) activist Dr. Vivek Pandey has sent a letter to the National Testing Agency (NTA) raising objections over proposed changes to the NEET UG 2025 exam, specifically addressing the potential implementation of age and attempt limits and the shift to an online multi-session format. Dr. Pandey emphasized that the modifications could lead to significant challenges for students, particularly those from economically weaker backgrounds, and urged for a more equitable approach.
In his letter, Dr. Pandey argued that setting age or attempt restrictions would disproportionately burden students who may require additional preparation time and resources. He highlighted that such limitations would force many aspirants into expensive coaching classes, exacerbating mental health issues and leading to stress. He referenced the National Medical Commission (NMC) order that previously lifted age restrictions, stating that reinstating these limits would contradict efforts to ensure access to medical education for all deserving candidates.
The RTI activist also expressed concerns over the proposed multi-session online format for NEET UG. According to Dr. Pandey, this approach could result in inconsistencies in exam difficulty and fairness, even if normalization techniques are applied. He cited a Supreme Court ruling from 2017 that advocated for a single-session, paper-based NEET exam to maintain uniformity and fairness, suggesting that the multi-session plan could undermine these principles.
As an alternative, Dr. Pandey proposed a two-stage examination format akin to the JEE system. He recommended a preliminary screening exam to filter candidates, followed by a single-session, paper-based main exam for those who qualify. This model, he argued, would help manage the large number of aspirants while preserving fairness and reducing stress.
Dr. Pandey called on the NTA to reconsider the proposed changes, prioritize student welfare, and uphold accessibility and equal opportunities in the NEET UG exam framework.
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Q: What is the exam pattern of NEET?
NEET or National Eligibility cum Entrance Test is a paper-pencil based test (PBT) of 3 hours and 20 minutes duration. There are a total of 200 multiple-choice questions (MCQs), out of which 180 questions have to be attempted. The syllabus of the exam consists of Physics Chemistry and Biology subjects. The Biology subject is segregated between Zoology and Botany. Each subject will be divided into two sections, Section A and Section B.
Section A carries 35 questions and Section B carries 15 questions. While all 35 questions can be attempted in Section A, in Section B, 10 questions out of 15 have to be attempted. Each question carries four answer options and the correct option has to be marked on the OMR sheet. According to the marking scheme, each correct question carries 4 marks and there is a negative marking of 1 mark for each wrong answer. No marks will be awarded or deducted for unattempted or extra attempted questions.
Q: Will NEET 2025 have sectional time limits?
No, there is no time limit to solve a section in NEET. The total duration of the exam is 200 minutes, or three hours and 20 minutes. Hence, on an average, candidates will get around five minutes for each question. Candidates must keep a tab on the timing as NEET is a time-pressed exam.
Before the exam day, candidates are advised to prepare a time management strategy wherein a particular timing should be assigned for each section or subject. They must also note that they will not be given any extra time to complete the exam, nor will they be allowed to take breaks in between or leave before time.
Q: As per the NEET pattern, can we attempt all questions from section B?
As per the NEET exam pattern, each subject is divided into two sections, Section A and Section B. Section A consists of 35 questions, wherein all questions have to be attempted. On the other hand, Section B carries 15 questions, out of which, any 10 questions have to be attempted. Hence, to answer your question, no, you cannot answer all questions from Section B of NEET question paper.
Even if you attempt all 15 questions in Section B, only the first 10 questions and answers will be marked. Hence, it is advised that attempt only 10 questions which you are confident of, and not all 10. Attempting extra questions will not only lead to wastage of time, but your efforts and focus as well. You can utilise that time in revising the attempted questions, or to increase your number of attempts in Section A.
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Abhay an alumnus of IIMC and Delhi University, has over a decade long experience of reporting on various beats of journalism. During his free time he prefers listening to music or play indoor and outdoor games.
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