A New NEET on the Horizon – Government Mulls Hybrid Mode, Two-Phase Format & Attempt Limits
Introduction: Winds of Change in Medical Education
As NEET 2025 approaches, rumblings from the corridors of power hint at a massive transformation. The Ministry of Education (MoE), in coordination with the National Medical Commission (NMC) and the NTA, is reportedly considering a complete structural overhaul of the medical entrance exam.
Among the major proposals: a hybrid exam mode (offline + online), a two-phase testing system, and a possible attempt limit for aspirants — aligning NEET more closely with the format of JEE (Joint Entrance Exam).
These proposals have sparked debates, with some hailing them as a much-needed modernization and others fearing increased stress and inequality.
Let’s decode what’s happening, why it’s being proposed, and how it will reshape NEET for years to come.
The Big Three Changes on the Table
- Hybrid Mode: Online + Offline Options
- Two-Phase Exam: NEET-1 and NEET-2
- Attempt Limit: Possibly 3 Attempts Max
1. Hybrid Mode: Moving Beyond Pen and Paper
NEET has always been conducted in the traditional pen-and-paper format. But now, in a push towards digitalisation, the MoE is exploring an online option as well.
Why the change?
- To reduce manual errors and paper leakage risks
- To match the format of exams like CUET and JEE
- To enable faster result processing and AI-based analysis
Pilot Runs Already Conducted In January 2025, mock hybrid NEET tests were secretly run in select cities like Delhi, Pune, and Hyderabad. Feedback was mixed — urban students appreciated the speed, while rural students struggled with unfamiliarity and device anxiety.
Advantages of Hybrid NEET
- Saves paper and logistics cost
- Auto-saving ensures no question goes unanswered
- Digital evaluation is quicker and more accurate
Challenges
- Digital divide: Students from rural or economically weaker backgrounds lack devices and training
- Power/internet issues can ruin exam attempts
- Standardisation across platforms is hard
2. Two-Phase NEET Format: Inspired by JEE
The second major idea is to split NEET into two phases, similar to JEE Mains and Advanced.
Proposed Plan:
- NEET Phase-1: Held in February or March (objective, moderate level)
- NEET Phase-2: Held in May (advanced-level MCQs with assertion-reason, case-based questions)
Best of the two scores or only NEET-2 score may be considered, depending on the final policy.
Why Two Phases?
- Reduces pressure on one single-day performance
- Offers a second chance to improve score
- Helps identify conceptual depth beyond rote learning
Global Influence This mirrors global exams like:
- SAT (multiple sessions annually)
- MCAT (US medical entrance held 25+ times a year)
Reactions So Far:
- Coaching institutes are already preparing dual-schedule crash courses
- Parents are confused: “More phases = more cost?”
- Some teachers believe this will filter mugged-up candidates from true learners
3. Attempt Limit: 3 Chances and Done?
Unlike JEE, NEET currently allows unlimited attempts until the upper age limit (25 years for General, 30 for reserved categories).
The new suggestion proposes a 3-attempt cap, bringing it closer to:
- JEE (max 3 attempts in 2 consecutive years)
- UPSC (6 attempts max)
Rationale Behind This Move
- Stops the cycle of drop years and burnout
- Encourages students to prepare seriously in fewer tries
- Reduces coaching exploitation
But...
- What about students from rural schools with weak foundations?
- Will this favour urban and rich students?
- Is it fair to limit opportunities in a country of such diversity?
Expert View Dr. Sandeep Gupta, former AIIMS professor:
“Attempt limits are logical, but only when school education quality is uniform. Until then, it’s a premature idea.”
Advantages of the NEET Overhaul
- Brings NEET at par with international testing standards
- Multiple phases reduce stress on one exam day
- Hybrid mode increases efficiency and transparency
- Attempt limits encourage better time management and seriousness
Disadvantages and Concerns
- Tech and resource gap may hit underprivileged students
- Coaching system may become even more dominant
- Phase-wise results may delay admission processes
- Attempt limits can crush late bloomers and second-chance aspirants
What History Tells Us
NEET’s journey has already seen twists:
- 2013: NEET was scrapped by the Supreme Court.
- 2016: Reinstated after major protests and legal battles.
- 2020: Pandemic forced new safety rules but not online mode.
- 2024: NEET saw its largest-ever participation — over 21 lakh candidates.
These patterns show that any change to NEET brings with it controversy, chaos, and course correction.
Government's Stand: Still in Consultation Mode
The Ministry of Education has clarified that no final decision has been taken yet. They are currently collecting feedback from:
- State governments
- Teachers associations
- Students and parents
- Medical college councils
A formal white paper is expected in July 2025, and any structural change will be phased in from 2026 onwards, not NEET 2025.
What Students Should Do Now
- Focus on NEET 2025 as per current pattern (single offline paper).
- Prepare for all scenarios: mental flexibility is key.
- Stay updated through NTA and MoE websites only.
- Avoid panic — none of the changes are finalised yet.
Conclusion: Evolution Is Inevitable, But Equity Is Essential
As NEET stands at a crossroads, the question isn't just about how to conduct the exam — it's about whom the exam serves.
If the future of NEET is to be hybrid, phased, and limited, it must also be fair, inclusive, and accessible. Otherwise, these reforms could deepen the very inequalities they seek to solve.
Only time — and policy — will tell which direction NEET ultimately takes.
Comments
Post a Comment
Thank you for sharing your thoughts 😃