The Supreme Court has sharply criticised the National Testing Agency during a hearing on NEET-UG 2026-related petitions, saying it was “sad that they have not learnt their lesson” amid renewed concerns over exam integrity.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday expressed strong concern over recurring irregularities in the NEET-UG examination system, remarking that it was “sad that they have not learnt their lesson” while hearing petitions linked to alleged paper leak concerns and demands for structural reforms.
A Bench of Justices P.S. Narasimha and Alok Aradhe issued notices to the Centre, the National Testing Agency (NTA), and other authorities, directing them to respond to petitions seeking major reforms, including a shift to computer-based testing (CBT) for NEET-UG.
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The court observed that despite earlier controversies surrounding NEET-UG 2024 and the formation of a high-powered committee headed by former ISRO Chairman K. Radhakrishnan, similar concerns regarding examination integrity had resurfaced.
The Bench also directed that copies of the petitions be served to the Solicitor General and listed the matter for further hearing on May 29.
During the hearing, the Supreme Court noted that a committee had already been constituted after the 2024 controversy and that recommendations had been accepted, along with a monitoring mechanism. The court sought clarity on the current status of compliance with those recommendations.
The NTA has been directed to file an affidavit detailing the implementation of the monitoring committee’s recommendations constituted on November 14, 2024, including how the mechanism is functioning at present.
The court also asked Prof. K. Radhakrishnan, who chaired the high-powered committee, to submit a separate affidavit outlining steps taken to ensure implementation of reforms and compliance with earlier directions issued by the apex court.
The petitions before the court, including those filed by the Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA) and the United Doctors Front, have raised concerns over the continued pen-and-paper format of NEET-UG, arguing that it remains vulnerable despite repeated recommendations for reform.
One of the pleas has sought an immediate transition to a fully computer-based test system, arguing that physical handling of question papers creates security risks. It also highlighted that the government had earlier indicated a possible shift to CBT mode from 2027.
Another petition has sought replacement or restructuring of the NTA, calling for a more transparent and professionally regulated examination authority with stronger accountability mechanisms.
The matter also includes demands for stricter cybersecurity measures, encrypted digital transmission of question papers, biometric verification, AI-based monitoring, and stronger action against alleged paper leak networks.
The petitions further seek a court-monitored oversight system and updates from investigating agencies, including the CBI, on alleged irregularities linked to the examination process.
Published: 25 May 2026, 03:11 pm IST
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