Single question paper model risks NEET security, says Nilekani

Nandan Nilekani has questioned the practicality of maintaining a single question paper format for NEET, citing security and operational challenges that could expose the examination to potential breaches. The Infosys founder's comments come amid growing concerns over paper leak incidents that have plagued competitive examinations in India in recent years.

Nilekali's remarks underscore the technical vulnerabilities inherent in centralizing question paper distribution and management across thousands of examination centres nationwide. The concentration of a single set of questions creates a singular point of failure in the examination system, making it susceptible to unauthorized access and circulation before the test begins.

The concern reflects broader issues within India's examination infrastructure, where high demand and complex logistics have made securing confidential materials a persistent challenge. Multiple instances of leaked papers across various competitive tests have prompted calls for systemic reforms to strengthen data security and examination management protocols.

Industry experts have previously suggested alternative approaches, including multiple question sets simultaneously administered across different centres, to reduce the risk concentration associated with a single-paper model. Such measures could enhance the integrity of examinations while maintaining standardized evaluation across the country.

The debate over NEET's examination structure occurs as India continues to grapple with ensuring the credibility and fairness of its largest medical entrance test, which determines admission to undergraduate medical programmes across the nation.