How Radhakrishnan Committee aims to fix NEET mess

The K. Radhakrishnan Committee has recently submitted a comprehensive report to the Union education ministry, recommending transformative changes to the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) and other national entrance examinations.
Formed in the aftermath of a major NEET paper leak scandal, this seven-member panel, led by the former Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) chief, includes Dr Randeep Guleria, former director of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi; B.J. Rao, vice-chancellor, University of Hyderabad; Ramamurthy K., professor emeritus, department of civil engineering, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras; Pankaj Bansal, member, Karmayogi Bharat Board, which focuses on skill development in India; Aditya Mittal, professor, IIT Delhi; and Govind Jaiswal, joint secretary, ministry of education.
The committee’s mandate was to propose measures that would improve exam security, streamline processes and address the persistent issues that have plagued NEET and similar exams. These are the major recommendations of the Radhakrishnan Committee.
Online testing and hybrid model
The committee suggests a phased shift to online testing, aiming to minimise the risks associated with paper-based exams. For cases where full online testing isn’t feasible, it has recommended a hybrid model, where question papers are transmitted digitally to exam centres and students record answers on paper. This hybrid approach helps reduce the number of people handling the question papers by transmitting them digitally until the examination begins, thereby minimising potential leaks. This model also eliminates the need for a printing press, strong-room storage, and multiple transit stages—all points vulnerable to breaches in security.
Multi-stage examination for medical aspirants
Recognising the immense pressure and high stakes of the NEET-UG exam, the committee advocates a multi-stage examination format, similar to the JEE (Main and Advanced) structure. With nearly 2 million students competing for limited seats in medical colleges, this two-tiered system could allow students to demonstrate their qualifications more thoroughly. The proposed first stage would serve as a screening exam, with the second round offering a deeper assessment for those who qualify, easing the logistical burden on examination centres and improving selection accuracy.
Streamlining subject choices in CUET
Currently, candidates appearing for the Central University Entrance Test (CUET) may choose from over 50 subjects, leading to redundancy for students who have already been assessed in these subjects during their board exams. The committee suggested that CUET focus on assessing general aptitude along with a limited range of subjects essential for admission, rather than repeating board-level evaluations. This change would streamline the process, reduce the need for multiple question paper sets, and minimise personnel involvement, which are vital for maintaining examination integrity.
Enhanced staffing and permanent roles within NTA
The committee has identified the heavy reliance on contractual personnel within the NTA as a key vulnerability. It has recommended increasing permanent staffing, suggesting that skilled, long-term employees are essential for consistent management of examination processes and data security. By building a more stable, dedicated workforce, the NTA would be better equipped to handle the complexities and high stakes of national entrance exams.
Greater government control over exam administration
To reduce dependency on third-party service providers, the committee recommends that the NTA establish more of its own examination centres. This measure seeks to reduce risks associated with outsourcing and ensure that examination protocols are strictly enforced. The committee has specifically advised against using private centres, which can be difficult to monitor comprehensively, and suggested that exams be conducted predominantly in government-run institutions where oversight is stronger.
Enhanced data security and closer exam start times
To address issues with paper leaks, the committee has advised that, where possible, exam questions be digitally transmitted to exam centres as close to the start of the examination as possible. This approach minimises the chance of unauthorised access. By limiting the number of personnel and facilities handling the question papers, the committee believes the examination process can achieve greater confidentiality and reliability.
Capping number of NEET attempts
Currently, there is no limit on the number of times a candidate can sit for NEET, potentially encouraging repeated attempts without adequate preparation. The committee has recommended a cap on the number of attempts allowed for NEET, similar to limitations on attempts in other high-stakes exams worldwide. This proposal aims to level the playing field and incentivise thorough preparation, reducing the competition’s intensity and increasing fairness.
Why was the Radhakrishnan Committee formed?
The committee’s recommendations come in the backdrop of mounting controversy surrounding NEET. Over recent years, NEET has faced a series of issues that have put its credibility under the scanner. The catalyst for the current crisis is a NEET paper leak earlier this year, which shook public trust and brought students to the streets. Stories emerged of students scoring exceptionally high despite questionable academic backgrounds, and reports of answer sheets being manipulated during transit raised questions about the examination’s security protocols.
The NEET controversy dates back to its inception. Initially designed to standardise medical entrance exams across India, NEET replaced a slew of regional and institution-specific tests. This uniform test was seen as a way to provide equal opportunity to students nationwide, but implementation has been challenging. The paper-based format of NEET has made it susceptible to logistical issues and security breaches. While the NTA has managed to make the JEE engineering entrance a fully computerised test, NEET remains on paper due to concerns about digital accessibility in rural areas.
Public outcry following repeated paper leaks and irregularities has led opposition parties to demand a complete overhaul of the NTA and its exam procedures. Accusations of favouritism and mismanagement further compounded matters, especially when top-ranking NEET candidates emerged disproportionately from specific test centres linked to influential individuals.
The Radhakrishnan Committee’s recommendations, therefore, are not just reforms but a potential lifeline for NEET’s future. They represent a collective hope for restoring credibility to one of India’s most critical entrance exams. If implemented, these changes can not only secure the examination process but also reduce the stress and uncertainty that millions of aspiring students face each year.