RTI Reveals Awaited Report on NEET Exam Changes; Supreme Court Extends Submission Deadline
The NTA’s response indicates that any changes to the NEET exam pattern will likely be guided by the findings of the Expert Committee.
In a recent development, Dr. Vivek Pandey, an activist, filed a Right to Information (RTI) application seeking details regarding potential changes in the NEET 2025 exam pattern. The RTI sought the minutes of meetings held by the National Testing Agency (NTA) in July and August 2024. However, the NTA's response stated that the requested information was "not available and hence not furnished." It added that, as per directions from the Supreme Court of India, a High-Powered Expert Committee had been formed, and its report on the matter is still awaited.
Dr. Pandey’s RTI inquiry has highlighted ongoing concerns about the transparency of the examination process and potential changes that could affect millions of students. The NTA’s response indicates that any changes to the NEET exam pattern will likely be guided by the findings of the Expert Committee.
Supreme Court Grants 2-Week Extension for Submission of Committee Report
On October 21, the Supreme Court extended the deadline for the submission of the Expert Committee’s report on the NEET exam security by two weeks, moving the new deadline to November 4, 2024. This extension comes after Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Union, informed the bench—led by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, along with Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra—that while the report was ready, the committee requested additional time for final touches.
The High-Powered Expert Committee, comprising seven members, was constituted by the Union in response to the NEET-UG 2024 exam paper leak scandal. The committee, chaired by Dr. K. Radhakrishnan, former Chairman of ISRO, was initially directed to submit its findings by September 30, 2024. The government had previously sought a three-week extension to October 21, citing the need for comprehensive recommendations.
Committee’s Mandate Expanded After NEET-UG 2024 Paper Leak Scandal
The formation of the Expert Committee was a direct response to a series of irregularities that marred the NEET-UG 2024 exam, conducted on May 5 across 4,750 centers in 571 cities, involving over 2.3 million students. Allegations of paper leaks and widespread malpractice led to public outcry, with numerous petitions demanding a retest. However, the Supreme Court, while acknowledging lapses by the NTA, declined to cancel the exam and instead ordered structural reforms to restore trust in the examination process.
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. On the other hand, Chemistry subject is segragated into Organic, Inorganic and Physical Chemistry. 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. The following table brings the structure of the NEET exam.
| Sections | Number of Questions | Total Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Physics Section A & B | 35 + 15 | 140 + 40 |
| Chemistry Section A & B | 35 + 15 | 140 + 40 |
| Botany Section A & B | 35 + 15 | 140 + 40 |
| Zoology Section A & B | 35 + 15 | 140 + 40 |
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: What is the format for the NEET exam?
The format for NEET exam is a total of 180 question with total 720 marks. Four marks will be awarded for a right answer and one mark will be deducted for a wrong answer. The questions will be objective type that is MCQ based. 90 questions will be from Biology including Zoology and Botany both, and 45 questions each from Physics and 45 Chemistry. Each subject will be divided into two sections. The syllabus will be that of Class 11 and Class 12 CBSE syllabus.
In a detailed judgment released on August 2, the Court expanded the committee's remit, instructing it to develop comprehensive measures across five key areas:
Examination Security and Administration
Data Security and Technological Enhancements
Policy and Stakeholder Engagement
Collaboration and International Cooperation
Support and Training
Committee Members and Consultation Process
Alongside Dr. Radhakrishnan, the committee comprises Dr. Randeep Guleria, Prof. B.J. Rao, Prof. Ramamurthy K, Shri Pankaj Bansal, Prof. Aditya Mittal, and Shri Govind Jaiswal (Member Secretary). The committee's extensive consultations included inputs from over 37,000 stakeholders—students, guardians, and education experts—via the MyGov Portal. Additionally, it engaged in physical consultations with state governments, police officials, regulatory bodies, and global testing experts.
The Supreme Court emphasized the importance of the committee’s role in addressing security lapses, advocating for measures such as tamper-evident packaging for question papers, secure logistics, stringent identity checks, data security protocols, and comprehensive CCTV surveillance.
Supreme Court's Directive on Examination Integrity and Reform
The Court's August 2 judgment underscored the need for a structural overhaul, urging the NTA to implement robust safeguards. It also directed the Ministry of Education to formulate a plan based on the committee’s recommendations within a month of receiving the report and report compliance to the Court. The Court emphasized that reforms must not only be proposed but also effectively implemented to restore the credibility of the examination system.
“The formation of a committee is essential to thoroughly investigate and address the structural issues. A dedicated committee with suitably qualified experts can ensure a comprehensive review of the security measures, candidate verification processes, and the overall management of the examination,” stated the Supreme Court in its judgment.
With the extension granted till November 4, all eyes are on the committee's report, which is expected to propose crucial changes to ensure the integrity of future NEET exams. Dr. Pandey’s RTI has brought further attention to the anticipated recommendations, particularly in light of ongoing concerns about transparency and fairness in the examination process.
Read more:
Follow Shiksha.com for latest education news in detail on Exam Results, Dates, Admit Cards, & Schedules, Colleges & Universities news related to Admissions & Courses, Board exams, Scholarships, Careers, Education Events, New education policies & Regulations.
To get in touch with Shiksha news team, please write to us at news@shiksha.com
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.
Related News
Latest News
Next Story