NTA To Hold Only Higher Education Tests, NEET Format Decision Soon: Minister

The Union Minister for Education, Dharmendra Pradhan, has announced that the National Testing Agency (NTA) will exclusively conduct entrance examinations for higher education institutions from 2025 onwards. Recruitment examinations which were being held by the Agency, which is working under the education ministry, will no longer be under the NTA’s purview, as announced by the minister. Speaking at a press conference in New Delhi, Mr Pradhan also revealed that discussions are underway with the Ministry of Health regarding whether the NEET-UG medical entrance exam will continue in its current pen-and-paper format or transition to an online mode. A decision on this matter is expected soon, the minister announced.

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Highlighting future reforms, Mr Pradhan stated that the government is actively exploring technology-driven testing methods, including computer-adaptive exams. “The Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Health are in continuous discussions about the format of NEET-UG. Whether it should be held online or offline will be decided shortly,” he said.
The minister outlined significant changes to the NTA, including its restructuring in 2025, with the creation of ten new posts to improve operations. A grievance reporting and redressal mechanism has also been proposed, along with measures to ensure student wellness and reduce exam-related stress, aligning with recent Supreme Court directives.
In a broader push towards modernising India’s education system, Mr Pradhan emphasised the government’s efforts to simplify exams such as the UGC-CUET and develop a public testing infrastructure. He noted that secondary education must equip students to meet the demands of higher education entrance exams.
As part of the transformative vision for India’s education sector, Mr Pradhan shared data reflecting considerable growth in higher education access. Since 2014-15, the number of higher education institutions has grown by 13.8%, while student enrolment has surged by over 30%. Female enrolment has witnessed significant gains, particularly in STEM courses.

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To enhance research capabilities, the government has approved initiatives like the One Nation One Subscription scheme, providing access to thousands of e-journals. Additionally, Centres of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence are being developed, with a financial outlay of ₹990 crore.
Mr Pradhan concluded by stressing the importance of international collaboration and advancing technology in education. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to making Indian education globally competitive while ensuring accessibility, equity, and excellence for all students.
“This decade marks a transformative journey for India’s education landscape,” he said, reflecting on the government’s progress and plans for reform.