Debate Rekindled: Pen-and-Paper vs. Computer Testing Amid NEET UG Controversies

A Parliamentary committee has reignited the debate over entrance exam formats, advocating for traditional pen-and-paper tests due to security concerns, despite prior recommendations for computer-based testing. The panel criticizes the National Testing Agency (NTA) for recent exam mishaps and proposes reforms to prevent further issues.

A Parliamentary Standing Committee has sparked new discussions on entrance examination formats, endorsing the pen-and-paper method for its proven 'leak-proof' history, referencing successful instances like UPSC and CBSE exams.

The report arrives amid controversies surrounding the cancellation of NEET-UG 2026 due to alleged paper leaks. It encourages the National Testing Agency (NTA) to examine longstanding pen-and-paper models. The recommendation holds weight as experts critique the vulnerability of large-scale pen-and-paper exams and contrast it with previous calls towards computer-based testing (CBT). The 2024 K Radhakrishnan-led committee emphasized transitioning to CBT, arguing for its robust, secure framework executed over multiple shifts.

Despite contrasting views, the Parliamentary panel, led by Digvijaya Singh, supports pen-and-paper tests, acknowledging their vulnerability but asserting longstanding leak-proof examples like CBSE exams. They recommend exclusive government venues for CBTs and challenged the NTA over operational lapses, urging improvement in exam security and management after recent uncertainties like paper leaks and delayed results. Additionally, they propose barring problematic firms involved in exam processes and suggest NTA reinvest surplus funds to enhance their exam and monitoring capabilities.