Archive · 18 Sep 2026
Nilekani Panel Plans NEET Reforms Report as Court Seeks Permanence
A government panel led by Nandan Nilekani is studying how to improve NEET.
NEET is an exam used for medical admissions.
The panel has spoken with many people and is expected to give the Supreme Court an interim report by the end of September.
It also discussed ideas with members of an earlier committee led by K Radhakrishnan.
The Supreme Court wants the exam system to become permanent and dependable.
The judges said it should have permanent workers and separate teams instead of relying too much on staff temporarily sent from other departments.
The government said the system’s structure is permanent, but not all of its permanent workers are in place yet.
The court also asked for a written update on the reforms.
The judges plan to visit an upgraded National Testing Agency office to see how the system is working.
The Centre told the Supreme Court that the Nandan Nilekani-led panel is likely to submit its first interim NEET reforms report by the end of September.
The panel has held exhaustive consultations and considered suggestions, including discussions with members of the K Radhakrishnan committee.
The Supreme Court directed a Department of Personnel and Training joint secretary to file an affidavit detailing progress and steps taken so far.
The bench said NEET administration requires a permanent setup, staff and operational divisions, with minimal reliance on deputation.
The judges said they would visit the newly upgraded National Testing Agency facility, while the Centre said permanent human resources are only partially in place.
- Who
- The Centre, the Nandan Nilekani-led panel, the Supreme Court bench of Justices P S Narasimha and Alok Aradhe, and the National Testing Agency are involved.
- What
- The panel is preparing an interim report on structural NEET reforms, while the Supreme Court is reviewing the implementation of reforms involving the National Testing Agency.
- When
- The Centre said the first interim report is likely by the end of September. The court also referred to directions issued on August 19.
- Where
- The matter was heard in the Supreme Court, and the judges proposed visiting the newly upgraded National Testing Agency facility.
- Why
- The court wants NEET administration and the National Testing Agency to have an institutionalised, permanent structure with adequate staff and operational divisions.
Supreme Court concerns
Centre's position
Institutional permanence
Supreme Court concerns
The court said NEET administration needs a genuinely permanent setup, permanent staff and operational divisions, with very little deputation.
Centre's position
The Centre said permanency of the structure has been ensured, while acknowledging that permanent human resources are only partly in place.
Reform implementation
Supreme Court concerns
The court stressed that committee recommendations must lead to effective changes and asked for an affidavit showing progress.
Centre's position
The Centre said the Nilekani panel had conducted exhaustive consultations, considered the suggestions and was preparing its first interim report.
System inspection
Supreme Court concerns
The judges said they would visit the upgraded National Testing Agency facility to examine whether the system and manpower are in place.
Centre's position
The Education Department said a new, upgraded system had been created.
- Panel chair
- Nandan Nilekani
- Expected report
- First interim report on structural NEET reforms by the end of September
- Earlier committee
- Committee led by former ISRO chairman K Radhakrishnan
- Court bench
- Justices P S Narasimha and Alok Aradhe
- Government representative
- Solicitor General Tushar Mehta
- Required filing
- A DoPT joint secretary must file an affidavit on the progress and steps taken so far
- Current staffing position
- The Centre says the structure is permanent, but permanent human resources are only partially ensured
Sources
'We'll come and see': On NEET, SC says will inspect NTA office; seeks report on progress by Nandan Nilekani panel
Nilekani panel on NEET reforms to submit first report by month-end: Centre to SC
Nandan Nilekani-led panel to submit first NEET reforms report by month-end, Centre tells SC - Telegraph India
Nilekani Panel Likely To Submit Interim NEET Reform Report By Month-End