2 hrs ago
Supreme Court Seeks Permanent NTA Reforms After NEET Leak
The Supreme Court is checking how India’s medical entrance exam is run.
The exam is called NEET, and the National Testing Agency conducts it.
The court said quick fixes may not be enough to stop paper leaks.
It wants the testing agency to have permanent staff and stronger systems.
Two judges plan to visit the agency’s upgraded office.
The government said a reform panel is studying ways to improve the system.
That panel may submit an early report by the end of the month.
The NTA has also announced more checking steps and new specialists.
These changes followed protests over a reported NEET-UG 2026 paper leak.
The Supreme Court said permanent institutional reforms are needed to prevent recurring NEET paper leaks.
Justices PS Narasimha and Alok Aradhe said they plan to visit the NTA’s upgraded facility.
The bench called for permanent staff, verticals and structures, with limited deputation.
The Centre said a Nandan Nilekani-led panel may submit its first interim report by month-end.
The NTA announced changes including four-tier paper checking, removing 600 experts and hiring domain specialists.
- Who
- The Supreme Court bench of Justices PS Narasimha and Alok Aradhe, the Centre, and the National Testing Agency are involved.
- What
- The court is examining whether the NTA needs permanent institutional reforms and may inspect its upgraded facility.
- Where
- The matter was heard in the Supreme Court, and the judges proposed visiting the NTA’s upgraded facility.
- When
- The hearing took place on Friday; the Nilekani panel may submit its first interim report by the end of the month.
- Why
- The court said lasting institutional changes are needed to prevent recurring examination paper leaks.
Long-term institutional reform
Immediate system overhaul
How to prevent paper leaks
Long-term institutional reform
The Supreme Court said temporary measures will not be sufficient and called for permanent staff, verticals and institutional structures with limited deputation.
Immediate system overhaul
The Centre and NTA pointed to immediate reforms, including four-tier paper checking, removing 600 experts and bringing in domain specialists.
Reform timetable
Long-term institutional reform
The court sought an affidavit from the Department of Personnel and Training on steps already taken and said it would assess whether the new system is functional.
Immediate system overhaul
The Centre said the Nandan Nilekani-led panel has held extensive consultations and is expected to provide an interim report by the end of the month.
Key facts
- Examination
- National Eligibility cum Entrance Test, or NEET
- Exam agency
- National Testing Agency
- Court direction
- The court sought permanent staff, verticals and institutional structures.
- Proposed inspection
- Justices PS Narasimha and Alok Aradhe said they would visit the NTA facility.
- Reform panel
- A high-powered panel led by Nandan Nilekani is preparing recommendations.
- Reported changes
- The NTA announced four-tier paper checking, removal of 600 experts and recruitment of domain specialists.
- Government response
- The Centre said the panel held extensive consultations and may submit an interim report by month-end.
Quotes
Justices PS Narasimha and Alok Aradhe
Supreme Court judges hearing the petition concerning the National Testing Agency
“Strengthening the NTA's system institutionally is crucial to preventing recurring paper leaks. Merely immediate or temporary measures would not suffice.”
NDTV
Sources
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