NTA announces pen-and-paper mode for NEET (UG)-2025 

The National Testing Agency (NTA) declared that the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET (UG)-2025) will be conducted in the pen-and-paper mode (OMR-based) on a single day and in a single shift. 

According to the official notification, "As decided by the National Medical Commission (NMC), it is informed that the NEET (UG)-2025 shall be conducted in pen-and-paper mode (OMR based) in a single day and single shift."

In accordance with Section 14 of the National Medical Commission Act, 2019, NEET (UG) has to be conducted as a common and uniform examination for admission to undergraduate medical programs in all medical institutions. Similarly, Section 14 of the National Commission for Indian System of Medicine Act, 2020, provides for a single NEET (UG) for admission to undergraduate courses in such disciplines as RAMS, BUMS, and BSMS in institutions governed by the National Commission for Indian System of Medicine. NEET (UG) is also prescribed for admission to the BHMS course under the National Commission for Homeopathy.

MNS aspirants wanting to take up B. Sc. Nursing courses at Armed Forces Medical Service Hospitals during the academic year 2025 have to qualify in NEET (UG). The short listing for the four-year B. Sc. Nursing program will be based on NEET (UG) scores.

The Testing Agency recently posted a notification citing important changes the agency made so that the procedure for NEET UG's registration and its examination becomes that much easier to follow. Department of Higher Education, NTA will link its Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry APAAR ID in NEET UG 2025 for achieving transparency and securing it effectively.

Candidates will be asked to merge their APAAR ID with Aadhaar-based authentication during both the application and examination phases. Furthermore, the NTA has also requested that candidates update their Aadhaar details so that they match the information given in their class 10th mark sheet or pass certificate. It is also important that the Aadhaar be linked to a valid mobile number for OTP-based authentication.