Guwahati: The Assam government has introduced stringent measures to ensure transparency in the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) for 2025, restricting exam centers to government colleges and implementing biometric verification for candidates. The decision follows concerns over irregularities at private institutions, prompted by a discreet Assam Police inquiry that raised suspicions about unusually high scores at some centers.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced the reforms after a virtual meeting with senior officials and the National Testing Agency (NTA) Director General. The new rules mandate that NEET centers be located exclusively in government or government-aided colleges, with enhanced safeguards for handling exam materials, including their movement, distribution, and storage. Candidates will undergo Aadhaar-based or biometric verification to prevent impersonation, and all centers will be equipped with CCTV coverage for real-time monitoring.
To further ensure fairness, District Commissioners and Superintendents of Police will personally inspect each center before the exam to sanitize the premises. These steps aim to address long-standing concerns about the integrity of NEET, particularly after reports of discrepancies in candidate performance at private institutes.
Sarma emphasized that the measures are designed to create a level playing field for meritorious students, without discrediting past selections. The state has already communicated its proposals to the NTA, signaling a proactive push for a more secure and credible examination process in Assam.
