Will JEE Main And CUET Be Held In Pen-and-Paper Mode?
A parliamentary standing committee on education, headed by Congress MP Digvijaya Singh, reviewed the performance of the National Testing Agency (NTA) and its ability to conduct exams in pen-and-paper mode to improve reliability and integrity.
The report submitted by the committee evaluated the security, administration, and financial functioning of the NTA, while recommending structural reforms to prevent future exam-related irregularities. It also considered models used by the CBSE and UPSC for leak-proof systems to guide NTA processes.
The committee noted that NTA conducted 14 competitive exams in 2024, with at least five facing major issues. It was observed that three exams, including UGC-NET, CSIR-NET, and NEET-PG, were postponed, while NEET-UG recorded paper leak instances, and CUET-UG/PG results were deferred.
The report also mentioned that in JEE (Main) 2025, at least 12 questions were given with wrong answers.
The panel considered both the pen-and-paper and computer-based test (CBT) formats. It is reportedly recorded that pen-and-paper mode offers more opportunities for paper leaks; however, CBT mode can be hacked in a way that is difficult to detect. Hence, the committee reportedly recommended a stronger focus on the pen-and-paper mode of exam due to the proven reliability of CBSE and UPSC systems.
The committee also advised that CBT must be held in government or government-controlled centres and never in private centres.
The panel also raised the issue of the involvement of blacklisted organisations to secure contracts. It emphasised that such blacklisted firms must not be engaged for any entrance test by the NTA or state government. The panel suggested updating a nationwide blacklist of firms and associated individuals to prevent exam-related malpractices.
While the committee did not mandate the shift, its recommendations strongly emphasise adopting the pen-and-paper format used by CBSE and UPSC. The decision will be finally taken by the government’s response to the committee’s findings.
