New Delhi. For the first time, the NTA will establish Standard Testing Centers (STCs) to ensure foolproof computer-based national entrance exams, including the NEET-UG, starting in 2027. The NTA will develop a network of adequate test centers across the country for next year's computer-based tests (CBT).

For this purpose, assistance has been sought from Kendriya Vidyalayas, Navodaya Vidyalayas, PM-Shri schools, and the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE). By September 15th, information must be provided on the total number of operational computers, computer labs, privacy screen partitions, capacity for additional computers, IT infrastructure, network and internet connectivity, power backup arrangements, CCTV and other examination facilities, and available unused space for setting up computer-based centers.

Sources said that from 2027, all national entrance exams, including NEET UG, JEE Main, CUET UG-PG, and UGC NET, will be computer-based (CBT). However, the NTA currently lacks the computers necessary to conduct the NEET UG exam for 2.4 million students in single-day or four-day shifts. Therefore, the NTA is now auditing the necessary infrastructure for the CBT exam, including computers, internet, and CCTV.

This will enable the NTA to establish a network of adequate standardized testing centers across the country before the 2027 national exam schedule is released. The information received from schools and colleges will then be cross-checked by new government officials from various NTA departments. However, for the 2026 exam, approximately 90 percent of the test centers were set in government educational institutions.

Audit of 30 information including six main points:
Before making NTA Standard Testing Centre, audit of 30 information including six main points is being done. College name, AICTE office, ID, distance from nearest railway and bus stand, pin code and complete address, district-state name, information of principal and director, IT or computer lab in-charge, computer hardware and software details, type of network cable, server, number of UPS, capacity and backup, diesel generator, AC, biometric verification, strong room, availability for conducting examination, whether the college is available on Saturday, Sunday and gazetted holidays or not, semester break, whether the first computer based examination was conducted or not will have to be mentioned.

Engineering, Polytechnic, Management colleges will submit report by 15th:
AICTE's advisor Dr. NH Siddhaling Swami has written a letter to the Vice Chancellors and Directors of all Engineering, Polytechnic, Management colleges. NTA is preparing adequate examination centre network across the country for computer based examinations. For this, information has to be given about the total number of working computers available, IT infrastructure, network and internet connectivity, power backup arrangements, CCTV and other examination facilities, vacant unused space available for setting up computer based centres. Two AICTE officials will prepare the report.