New Delhi:  In pursuance of Budget Announcement 2017-18, the Union Cabinet in its meeting held on 10.11.2017 approved creation of National Testing Agency (NTA) as an autonomous and self-sustained premier testing organization to conduct entrance examinations for Higher Education Institutions (HEIs).  NTA will conduct, inter-alia, JEE (MAIN) and National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET)-UG twice a year in order to give adequate opportunity to candidates to bring out their best.

All the entrance examinations will be computer based, for which a network of test practice centres, especially for the aspirants from rural areas will be established so that they have ample opportunity to acquaint themselves with the computer based tests.  The Schools and engineering colleges with computer labs will be identified for this purpose, which can be used by any aspirant free of charge.

Extensive consultations were done with the concerned Ministries/ Departments of the Government of India as well as other stakeholders both from Central and State Government in a workshop held on 1-9-2017. Final decision and time table will be announced soon.

This information was given by the Minister of State (HRD), Dr. Satya Pal Singh today in a written reply to a Rajya Sabha question on 26 July 2018.