"NEET UG Paper Leak: Supreme Court Slams NTA, Seeks Report On Exam Security And Digital Reforms"

THE REPORT.

New Delhi:The Supreme Court has pulled up the National Testing Agency (NTA) over the NEET UG 2026 paper leak and asked the Centre to submit a detailed report on exam security, transparency and digital reforms.

WHAT THE SC SAID:

A bench of Justices P S Narasimha and Alok Aradhe made strong observations during the hearing:"It is sad. They haven't learnt their lessons"*  referring to NTA's repeated failures despite 2024 directions

"We cannot let this go on like this"

The court questioned why paper leaks continued despite assurances of a "fool-proof system" and asked if recommendations of the K. Radhakrishnan Committee were implemented. SC suggested NTA should learn from UPSC, which has not seen question paper leaks .

The court also asked the Centre: "Please tell us what you are doing to shift completely to an online mode. Please tell us how you will protect data when we shift to computer-based testing".

BACKGROUND OF THE CASE:

NEET UG 2026 was held on May 3 for over 22 lakh aspirants .The exam was cancelled on May 12 after allegations that "guess papers" on WhatsApp and Telegram matched 100+ questions .The case is now being probed by the CBI. A re-examination was scheduled for June 21, 2026 

PETITIONS BEFORE SC:

Medical bodies FAIMA and United Doctors Front have sought:

Restructuring or replacement of NTA with a "robust, technologically advanced and autonomous body"

Judicial supervisionof NEET re-conduct by a committee headed by a retired SC judge

Digital locking of question papers and shift to Computer-Based Test (CBT) model

Publication of centre-wise results to detect anomalies

CBI status report on arrests and network identified .

NTA'S DEFENSE:

In its affidavit, NTA said it had taken "most stringent security architecture" including Aadhaar biometric, AI CCTV, mobile jammers and 5-tier monitoring. It also cited reforms recommended by the Radhakrishnan Committee. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told the court the PM is personally monitoring the issue. 

NEXT STEPS:

The court has listed the matter for August 3 and asked the Centre to file a response within 6 weeks on how to make NEET "fool-proof". The bench noted: "It's traumatic. We should not disappoint our youngsters" 

PROTESTS:

Students have been protesting at Jantar Mantar, Delhi demanding resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. A 'Chalo Sansad' march led to clashes with police.