Archive · 20 Aug 2026
Supreme Court Seeks Stronger Measures to Prevent Exam Paper Leaks
The Supreme Court is worried that exam question papers are being leaked.
It asked the government to explain what it is doing to stop this.
The court said exam organisers need strong systems and trained staff.
It suggested studying the Union Public Service Commission, which regularly conducts exams without reported paper leaks.
The judges said special software for one exam may not solve the bigger problem.
They also asked questions about the National Testing Agency’s staff, offices and security.
Two expert committees have already suggested ways to improve the process.
The court is reviewing whether those suggestions have been followed.
The goal is to make important exams fair and trustworthy.
The Supreme Court asked the Centre to present steps taken on recommendations by committees led by K. Radhakrishnan and Nandan Nilekani.
The bench urged the government to study the Union Public Service Commission’s practices for preventing question-paper leaks.
The court said examination systems should be institutionalised rather than relying only on exam-specific software and procedures.
Justice P. S. Narasimha questioned the National Testing Agency’s staffing, offices, security arrangements and organisational structure.
The court is also examining petitions seeking the National Testing Agency’s dissolution and a Central Bureau of Investigation probe into repeated leaks.
- Who
- The Supreme Court bench of Justice Pamidighantam Sri Narasimha and Justice Alok Aradhe, the Centre, the National Testing Agency and the expert committees led by K. Radhakrishnan and Nandan Nilekani.
- What
- The court sought details of measures to prevent question-paper leaks and suggested adopting institutional practices used by the Union Public Service Commission.
- When
- The directions were issued on Wednesday; earlier related notices were issued on May 25.
- Where
- In proceedings before the Supreme Court in India.
- Why
- Because recurring leaks, including the 2024 NEET-UG leak, have raised concerns about the fairness, transparency and security of major examinations.
Supreme Court’s Institutional Reform Concerns
Centre’s Reported Corrective Measures
How to prevent leaks
Supreme Court’s Institutional Reform Concerns
The court said exam-specific software and procedures would not address the broader problem, calling for an institutionalised system with trained personnel and accumulated expertise.
Centre’s Reported Corrective Measures
The Centre presented steps it said were being taken based on recommendations from the Radhakrishnan and Nilekani committees.
Role of the National Testing Agency
Supreme Court’s Institutional Reform Concerns
The judges sought detailed information about the agency’s structure, officers, staff, premises and security, reflecting concerns about its capacity to conduct secure examinations.
Centre’s Reported Corrective Measures
The government was asked to explain the action taken on recommendations concerning the agency, including those of the Radhakrishnan committee.
Future examination administration
Supreme Court’s Institutional Reform Concerns
The court pointed to the Union Public Service Commission as an example of an organisation that regularly conducts examinations while building institutional memory and expertise.
Centre’s Reported Corrective Measures
The Centre’s reported approach included developing sophisticated software and procedures, although the court said these measures alone were insufficient.
- Expert committees
- Committees led by K. Radhakrishnan and Nandan Nilekani made recommendations on preventing question-paper leaks.
- Court’s suggestion
- The government was asked to examine practices followed by the Union Public Service Commission.
- National Testing Agency
- The court questioned the agency’s officers, office location, staffing and security arrangements.
- Earlier court action
- On May 25, the bench issued notices to the Centre and the Central Bureau of Investigation over two public-interest litigations.
- Monitoring committee
- The National Testing Agency formed a monitoring committee chaired by K. Radhakrishnan on November 14, 2024, according to the article.
- Examinations involved
- A petition alleged leaks affecting NEET in 2015, 2016, 2021, 2024 and 2026.
- NEET’s role
- NEET is described as the sole gateway for admission into medical education across India.