NEET paper leak: Supreme Court to monitor institutional reforms, centre assures measures to protect students

New Delhi: During the hearing of the pleas concerning the NEET UG paper leak today, the Central Government assured the Supreme Court that it would take holistic steps to protect students and ensure the integrity of the exam.

The Apex Court bench of Justices PS Narasimha and Alok Aradhe made it clear today that it would go above and beyond to ensure that long-term safeguards are put in place. "We will monitor this. We will take that extra mile to ensure that things are put in place," the bench clarified.

Medical Dialogues had earlier reported about the multiple pleas that were filed before the top court bench over the NEET question paper leak this year. One of these pleas was filed by the Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA), seeking directions to the Centre to either replace NTA or fundamentally restructure it "with a more robust, technologically advanced, and autonomous body for conducting NEET." Another plea was filed by the United Doctors Front (UDF) seeking similar reliefs.

Also Read: Dissolve NTA, implement statutory framework: Doctors' body moves Supreme Court

As per the latest media report by Bar and Bench, during the hearing of the matter before the Supreme Court today, Solicitor General of India (SG) Tushar Mehta assured the Court that the matter is being viewed by the Government with equal seriousness. He remarked, "Government is going ten extra miles. Children’s problems have to be addressed. Everything is being done under the supervision of the highest executive level."

Meanwhile, the Court stressed that it is concerned about ensuring systemic reforms instead of stop-gap solutions. It further observed, "We are focusing on institutionalisation. Adhocism is what has troubled all these years... this year because of what happened you had deployed the airforce to transport. But that’s only an adhoc situation. There must be something permanent."

In response, SG Mehta assured to file a detailed response fron the Government, indicating various steps taken by the Government for the welfare of the students.

He submitted before the top court bench, "There is some progress. I can give a holistic view after a few days... We will explain right from the printing press till the time the student gets the (NEET) paper, what is the process in place. For children, there cannot be any adversarial response."

Further, he indicated that the Government had accepted the reforms earlier suggested by a high-level committee set up in 2024 regarding the functioning of the National Testing Agency (NTA). These reforms were suggested after an alleged leak in the NEET UG 2024 exam.

"Radhakrishnan committee has been fully accepted," SG Mehta submitted.

In response, the top court bench urged the Central Government to ensure that the reponse from the Centre is comprehensive and it covers the steps taken to prevent any paper leaks in future, along with the response to the suggestions about converting NEET into a Computer-Based Test (CBT).

"Give information regarding computer based testing. Can it be shifted; how the data is to be transferred; how the data is to be protected? Data safety is the most important aspect. You indicate to us. The cybersecurity, who is to undertake it, how it is to be conducted etc. We are institutionalising so we can get out of this cycle," the bench observed.

"After the affidavit comes we will see what the the status is. We will very closely monitor this. We will follow it up throughout the year. We will see that complete and total institutionalisation takes place," it added.

Adjourning the case to await the filing of a detailed counter-affidavit by the Government, the bench clarified that "We can’t let it go on like this."

NDTV has reported that the top court bench has listed the matter for further hearing on August 3, 2026.

The association welcomed the Court's proactive approach, while stressing that while technological and administrative improvements are necessary, they alone cannot address the root cause of repeated examination failures.

Reiterating its demand for replacing NTA by a statutory National Examination Authority established through an Act of Parliament, the association said that only a statutory body created by Parliament can ensure institutional accountability, transparency, independent oversight, clearly defined statutory responsibilities, and direct accountability to Parliament- the highest democratic institution of the country. "Such structural reform is essential to restore the confidence of crores of students and their families," it said.

Mentioning that India's students deserve an examination system that is transparent, accountable, secure and trusted, UDF further added in the release, "During the hearing, the Hon'ble Bench extensively deliberated on the need for a comprehensive framework covering the entire examination cycle, including pre-examination, during-examination and post-examination safeguards, digital transparency, administrative and human resource reforms, secure printing and transportation of question papers, multiple-session examinations, and the roadmap for a transition to computer-based testing with robust cybersecurity measures."

"Importantly, the Hon'ble Court observed that extraordinary arrangements made after repeated paper leaks cannot become a permanent solution and emphasized the need for complete institutionalisation of examination reforms. The Court also indicated that it would continue to closely monitor the reform process to ensure meaningful and lasting systemic changes," it added.

"The Union Government submitted that it is working beyond the recommendations of the High-Level Committee and assured the Hon'ble Court that any suggestions made by the Court would be accepted and implemented. We remain hopeful that this litigation will pave the way for lasting reforms that strengthen the integrity of India's examination system and safeguard the future of millions of aspirants," the release further mentioned.

Meanwhile, during the hearing, FAIMA was represented through Advocate Tanvi Dubey. On behalf of FAIMA, Ms. Dubey, submitted a comprehensive set of recommendations in view of the proposed transition of NEET-UG to a Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode from next year. Considering that nearly 22 lakh students are expected to appear for the examination, FAIMA urged that a detailed Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) be published well in advance.

FAIMA submitted that the SOP should clearly define the safeguards and procedures for all three stages of the examination- pre-examination, during the examination, and post-examination, including security, evaluation and transparency measures.

Further, the association requested that official CBT mock tests and demo examinations be made available sufficiently in advance so that students are well acquainted with the new examination pattern before appearing in the actual examination, a Press release by the FAIMA mentioned.

Also Read: NEET 2026 controversy: Doctors' body moves Supreme Court seeking NTA replacement, committee-monitored re-exam