NEET-PG 2026 Reforms: More Time Per Question, Centres Near Home
UPSC / SSC current affairs note · Governance
Why in news
The Union Health Minister reviewed preparedness for NEET-PG 2026, scheduled on August 30, with a record 2,73,183 registrations, up 12.5% from last year. Key reforms include more time per question and exam centres closer to candidates' homes, aimed at making the test more candidate-friendly and secure.
Background
NEET-PG is the national entrance test for postgraduate medical courses in India. The reforms come amid concerns over exam security and candidate convenience, following previous paper leak issues.
Key facts
NEET-PG 2026 will be held on August 30, 2026.
Total registrations: 2,73,183, an increase of over 12.5% from the previous year.
Exam will be conducted in a single shift across around 340 cities and more than 1,300 examination centres.
Candidates must indicate three state preferences, with their correspondence state as mandatory first preference, to get centres closer to home.
Test city intimation slip will be issued nearly three weeks before the exam.
Exam pattern revised: 180 questions in 210 minutes, giving more time per question while keeping overall duration unchanged.
Aadhaar-based authentication introduced during application and on exam day; iris-based verification as fallback for fingerprint failures.
Security measures include advance sealing and verification of centres, CCTV surveillance, biometric authentication, candidate frisking, signal jammers, and dynamic computer allocation.
The exam is conducted by the National Board of Examinations (NBE) under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
Prelims pointers
- NEET-PG: National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test for Postgraduate medical courses.
- Conducting body: National Board of Examinations (NBE).
- Ministry: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
- Exam date: August 30, 2026.
- Number of questions: 180, duration: 210 minutes.
- Aadhaar-based authentication and iris-based biometric verification.
- Security measures: CCTV, signal jammers, dynamic computer allocation.
Mains angles
- Discuss the significance of reforms in national-level entrance exams for improving candidate experience and exam integrity.
- Critically examine the role of technology in ensuring fair and secure conduct of high-stakes examinations in India.
- Analyze the challenges in conducting nationwide exams like NEET-PG and suggest measures to address them.