The National Testing Agency (NTA) wants schools, colleges and other institutions to apply to become permanent exam centres for its tests, which include NEET UG, JEE Main and CUET. Its notice, dated 7 November, asks for applications at eoi.nta.gov.in by 6 December 2026. A second notice invites teachers and retired officials to join a standing pool of NTA exam observers.
The move comes as NEET UG shifts to a computer-based test from 2027, which needs far more computer labs than a pen-and-paper exam. NTA has not yet announced the NEET UG 2027 exam date. Our report on NEET UG 2027 sets out what is confirmed so far.
What a centre needs
- Size: at least 285 working computers per shift for a computer-based test, in at least four labs of 30. Pen-and-paper centres need 250 seats across at least six halls of 40.
- Power: at least 4 hours of UPS or inverter backup for every computer and the lighting, plus a generator that can run the whole centre for the full exam.
- Security: CCTV at the entrance, verification area and every exam room, with 30 days of recordings kept. There must also be separate frisking enclosures for men and women, and an area for biometric checks.
- Access: ground-floor seating and quiet rooms for candidates with disabilities who need a scribe, and at least one toilet for every 50 candidates.
Applicants must upload documents, photos and a walkthrough video of the centre. Shortlisted centres face a physical inspection, which may be unannounced. Approved centres are listed for one year, extendable on performance. NTA says listing does not guarantee any exams, and that it will share payment terms separately.
Observers: who can join and what they are paid
NTA places its own observer at every centre on exam day. It now wants a pre-verified pool, engaged for two years, from three groups:
- retired central or state government officers above Pay Level 8, aged 60 to 65;
- retired Armed Forces or CAPF personnel of the rank of Subedar Major or equivalent and above, up to 65;
- serving or retired teachers of government schools, colleges and universities, with an employer’s no-objection certificate for those in service.
Observers get Rs 3,000 for the briefing day and Rs 4,000 for the exam day, including conveyance, with travel paid for duty outside their city. Applications close on 6 December at observermanagement.nta.gov.in.
What it means for students
Nothing changes for you yet. In the longer run, NTA wants inspected, CCTV-covered centres in schools and colleges, with its own observers on site. How many such centres sign up will decide how many cities and shifts NTA can offer, but NTA has not said yet whether NEET UG 2027 will run in more than one shift.
Sources: NTA expressions of interest for empanelment of examination centres and of observers, both dated 7 November 2026, on nta.ac.in.
