India's NEET-UG exam to be held at 1,000 centers after paper leak

The National Testing Agency (NTA) announced that the NEET‑UG undergraduate medical entrance exam will be conducted in a computer‑based format over five to six days at roughly 1,000 centers across 500 Indian cities. The change follows a paper‑leak scandal that forced the cancellation of the May exam and a retest on June 21. Each centre will accommodate about 500 candidates, allowing up to five lakh students to sit the exam each day. The NTA revamp, including organisational and technological upgrades, is slated for completion before October.

A senior NTA official expects the re‑exam results to be released by July 20, with the Medical Counselling Committee beginning the MBBS counselling process shortly thereafter. The counselling will cover 15% all‑India quota seats, AIIMS, JIPMER, central and deemed universities, while state authorities will handle the remaining 85% of seats.

These steps aim to keep the academic session on schedule and restore confidence in the entrance‑test system.