NEET, JEE, CUET Will be Stopped? Government Plans SAT-Based Admission Revolution

The Central Government is actively considering sweeping reforms to India's competitive exam system. A high-level committee recommends replacing NEET, JEE, and CUET with a SAT-based admission model starting 2027. Under this proposal, students would take the Scholastic Assessment Test twice in Class 11, with the better score combined with Class 12 board marks to determine college admissions.

The proposed system aims to fundamentally reshape higher education entry. Instead of high-stakes single exams, preparation spreads across two years of school education. Government officials believe this reduces student stress, eliminates coaching dependency, and strengthens the school curriculum. The April and November SAT tests in Class 11 would create a final percentile when combined with board results, directly allocating seats in IITs, AIIMS, and other top institutions.

An 11-member committee chaired by Higher Education Secretary Vinit Joshi developed this recommendation in June 2025. Key stakeholders including CBSE, NCERT, IIT Madras, IIT Kanpur, NIT Trichy, Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan, and Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti participated in discussions. Their primary objectives focus on ending coaching culture dominance, lowering student mental pressure, and aligning admissions directly with school syllabus performance.

The proposal includes strict regulations targeting coaching centers. Daily coaching hours would cap at 2-3 hours maximum. Students under 16 years would face a complete coaching ban. All coaching content must strictly follow NCERT and school curriculum without additional material. These measures directly challenge Kota's coaching industry that currently serves 5 lakh students annually.

SAT syllabus alignment with NCERT textbooks represents the biggest shift. Students could prepare entirely through regular school studies without external coaching. Rural students gain equal opportunity while economically weaker families save ₹5-15 lakh in coaching fees. Parents avoid sending children to distant cities like Kota, allowing families to stay together during crucial Class 11-12 years.

Current JEE and NEET preparation drains family finances through ₹5-10 lakh coaching fees plus ₹3-5 lakh hostel expenses. Travel costs add another ₹50,000-1 lakh annually. The proposed SAT system eliminates these burdens completely. Schools emerge as the new admission powerhouses, fundamentally altering India's ₹25,000 crore coaching industry.

This proposal fulfills National Education Policy 2020's vision for school-centric admissions. Understanding-based learning replaces rote memorization. Creativity and analytical skills receive priority over exam-cracking techniques. Rural and economically disadvantaged students gain unprecedented access to premier institutions through familiar school curriculum.

The committee expects government approval following final report submission in 2026. First SAT-based admissions could begin 2027 with complete nationwide rollout by 2028. Class 11 students should immediately strengthen NCERT preparation and practice SAT-style questions available free online. Parents must avoid premature coaching commitments while monitoring policy developments closely.

Coaching centers face existential threats from these reforms. Kota's economy, built around 5 lakh annual students, risks collapse alongside 50,000 coaching faculty jobs. Schools nationwide prepare to fill this admission vacuum through strengthened Class 11-12 curriculum delivery.

Vinayak Joshi's committee emphasized two clear opportunities from dual SAT attempts. Students improve performance between April and November tests. Second chances reduce single-exam pressure while maintaining merit-based selection. Board exam weightage ensures consistent academic performance remains paramount.

Government sources confirm NEET, JEE, and CUET continue unchanged for 2026 admissions. Students appearing this year follow existing patterns without disruption. The proposal requires Cabinet approval before implementation, expected late 2026. Class 11 students represent the first potential cohort under the new system.

Parents celebrating potential ₹8-20 lakh savings must understand implementation remains uncertain. Coaching centers continue operations through 2026 regardless of policy outcomes. Schools nationwide must urgently upgrade Class 11-12 teaching quality to meet impending admission responsibilities. Rural institutions particularly need infrastructure support to deliver SAT-aligned curriculum effectively.

This potential reform represents India's biggest education policy shift since NEP 2020 implementation. Success hinges on school system readiness and government execution. Students wisely focus on strengthening fundamentals across NCERT syllabus regardless of final policy decisions