New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday raised concerns over allegations of a paper leak in NEET-UG 2026, observing that it was unfortunate the National Testing Agency (NTA) had not “learnt its lesson” even after earlier scrutiny by the court.
A Bench of Justices P.S. Narasimha and Alok Aradhe issued notices to the Centre, the NTA and other authorities on petitions seeking wide-ranging changes in how the examination is conducted. The matter has been listed for further hearing on Friday, May 29, as reported by IANS.
“It’s sad that they have not learnt their lesson,” the Justice Narasimha-led Bench orally remarked.
The court also referred back to the NEET-UG 2024 row and the high-powered panel headed by former ISRO chief K. Radhakrishnan, noting that recommendations had already been made and a monitoring system had been set up. It then asked the NTA to file an affidavit explaining the current status of compliance with those recommendations and the work of the monitoring committee. Prof. Radhakrishnan has also been asked to submit a separate affidavit on steps taken to implement the panel’s suggestions and earlier court directions.
“We also direct K Radhakrishnan, appointed as the chairman of the monitoring committee, to file an affidavit indicating compliance with the court directions. List this matter on Thursday,” the court ordered.
The petitions, moved by groups including the Federation of All India Medical Association and the United Doctors Front, press for accountability and structural reform in the exam process. One of them seeks an immediate shift to a fully computer-based format, arguing that the present pen-and-paper method remains vulnerable because it depends on printing, transporting and storing confidential material.
The plea also points out that the Union government has said NEET-UG will move to CBT from 2027, which petitioners say shows that a more secure digital system is needed. Along with that, the petitions seek a new independent examination authority with legal backing and oversight, rather than the NTA in its current form.
They also call for a court-monitored reform panel, encrypted digital transmission of papers, biometric checks, AI-supported monitoring and tighter cybersecurity measures. In addition, the petitions want strict criminal action against those suspected of involvement in leaks and cheating networks, as well as a CBI update on the probe into the alleged 2026 leak.
The petitioners say the latest controversy, including claims about “guess papers” before the May 3 exam and the cancellation of the test on May 12, shows a repeated breakdown in the conduct of major national examinations.
