Two-stage NEET UG, age limit, fewer attempts: What parl panel wants NTA to change

A parliamentary standing committee has called for a legislative framework to make the National Testing Agency (NTA) accountable to both Houses of Parliament, following the cancellation of NEET-UG 2026 over allegations of a paper leak.In its report, Reforms and Strengthening of NTA, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education, Women, Children, Youth and Sports said public trust in examinations was a matter of social justice and national integrity. It also recommended examining a two-stage format for major entrance tests, exploring reasonable age and attempt limits, and reducing dependence on private examination centres.The NTA cancelled NEET-UG 2026 on May 12, after the examination was held on May 3.NTA MUST ANSWER TO PARLIAMENTThe committee said the cancellation showed that further improvements were needed despite the agency’s past efforts. It called for stronger security protocols, clearer accountability, adequate staffing and greater digitalisation to counter organised networks involved in examination fraud. “The education department may introduce an appropriate Parliamentary framework that ensures NTA's accountability to Parliament,” the panel said.TWO-STAGE NEET, AGE AND ATTEMPT LIMITSThe committee noted that NEET-UG has no limit on the number of attempts and no effective upper age limit, pointing to the participation of candidates above 70. It recommended that the Education Ministry explore reasonable age and attempt limits for major examinations, including NEET-UG, in consultation with the Health Ministry and other stakeholders. The panel said an exception could be made for UGC-NET.It also suggested that the NTA examine a two-stage format for large examinations. A common preliminary test could cover medical streams, followed by specialised main examinations for individual courses. This could separate candidates seeking nursing or AYUSH admissions from those competing for MBBS seats.COMPUTER-BASED TESTS AND GOVERNMENT CENTRESThe panel recommended moving examinations towards the computer-based test (CBT) model and involving government-owned and operated centres, reducing reliance on private facilities.It also called for a concrete implementation plan to establish secure government CBT centres. Candidates arriving late at examination centres should be allowed to sit the test after recording an undertaking, it suggested.BIGGER QUESTION BANK, BLACKLISTED VENDORSThe committee urged the NTA to create a national registry of blacklisted examination vendors and invest in a large, diverse and regularly updated question bank to reduce the risk of paper leaks.It recommended involving experts from reputed institutions, including IITs, AIIMS and IIMs, in question-bank development and translation. Their backgrounds should be checked for integrity and conflicts of interest, including links to private coaching centres or candidates taking the examination.41% VACANCY, PANEL FLAGS STAFF SHORTAGEThe report highlighted that only 23 of the NTA’s 39 sanctioned positions were occupied, leaving a vacancy rate of 41%. All 39 permanent posts were being filled through deputation, the committee noted.It called for the NTA to recruit permanent staff, particularly specialists in psychometrics, examination security, digital infrastructure, data analytics and examination logistics. Posts under the Central Staffing Scheme should supplement senior leadership rather than replace domain expertise.The panel said restoring public confidence would require consistent, transparent and two-way communication with stakeholders, with everyone involved in conducting examinations treating integrity as a responsibility rather than merely a job.- Ends