NTA to Focus Solely on Entrance Exams from 2025, No Recruitment Tests
Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan announces shift in NTA's role; decision on NEET mode expected soon.
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan announced on Tuesday that the National Testing Agency (NTA) will no longer conduct recruitment examinations starting in 2025. The NTA will focus exclusively on entrance exams for higher education institutions.
Pradhan explained that the decision followed the formation of a high-level committee in June this year, which was set up to address allegations of paper leaks in the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET). The committee, led by former ISRO Chairman Dr. K Radhakrishnan, recommended that the NTA concentrate on academic assessments rather than recruitment.
In a related development, discussions are ongoing between the Education and Health Ministries regarding the mode of the NEET-UG exam. The final decision on whether it will be conducted in pen-and-paper format or online is expected within the next week. Pradhan confirmed that the NTA is prepared to manage whatever mode is chosen.
Additionally, the CUET-UG will continue to be held annually, with the possibility of future shifts towards computer-adaptive tests to incorporate advanced technology in entrance exams.