NTA dissolution, time-bound, transparent probe into NEET paper leak- Doctors' body urges Parliamentary panel
New Delhi: On the use of pen-and-paper testing versus Computer-Based Test (CBT), and issues concerning NEET and the National Testing Agency, a doctors' body presented its views before the Chairman, Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education, Women, Children, Youth and Sports.
Dr Lakshya Mittal, Chairperson, United Doctors Front (UDF), on Monday had a constructive one-to-one interaction with the Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee. The Chairman gave a hearing to the concerns, suggestions, and recommendations submitted by UDF in its detailed representation, reports ANI
In its submission, the association stated that the concerns surrounding NEET are not limited only to the mode of examination, but also relate to the larger issue of transparency, statutory accountability, confidentiality, and credibility of the examination-conducting body.
UDF recommended that the present structure of the NTA should be dissolved/replaced, and a new national examination body should be constituted through an Act of Parliament.
It submitted that a statutory body, answerable to Parliament and subject to stronger public accountability, is essential for conducting high-stakes national examinations such as NEET.
The doctors' body also requested a strict inquiry into the possible misuse of the National Emblem by NTA, considering its registration as a society and the provisions of the State Emblem of India (Prohibition of Improper Use) Act, 2005. UDF urged that the competent authorities should examine whether the use of the emblem and official representation by NTA is legally authorised and compliant with applicable law.
Further, UDF submitted that the concerns relating to NEET-UG 2026 should not be treated in isolation. UDF recommended that the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak concerns should be investigated along with unresolved issues from NEET-UG 2024, including the special registration window, centre allotment patterns, grace marks issue, role of agencies and centres, and allegations of non-cooperation in earlier investigations.
UDF emphasised that repeated controversies surrounding NEET have severely affected the confidence of lakhs of medical aspirants and their families. The organisation urged a comprehensive, time-bound, and transparent investigation into all institutional lapses, officials, agencies, vendors, centres, and persons responsible.
Dr Babita Sikriwal & Dr Rakesh Beniwal said that NEET is not merely an examination, but the gateway to India's medical education system. Therefore, the process must be transparent, fair, secure, and accountable, adds ANI
The NEET UG 2026 exam was conducted on May 3 by the National Testing Agency and was held from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM in pen-and-paper mode. Over 22.7 lakh aspirants appeared for the examination this year. It took place across 551 cities in India and 14 cities abroad, covering over 5,400 centres.
However, the NTA on May 12, 2026, declared the cancellation of the examination held on May 3 and subsequently announced the re-examination on June 21, 2026.
This came in the backdrop of the probe by the Rajasthan Police Special Operations Group, which reportedly found a “guess paper” containing more than 100 questions similar to those asked in the NEET UG examination. The question paper series under scrutiny has been described as a “guess paper” which reportedly contained around 410 questions. Out of these, nearly 120 questions are alleged to have appeared in the Biology and Chemistry sections of the examination. The investigation found that the leaked papers were circulated through WhatsApp and Telegram groups ahead of the NEET UG 2026 examination.
Due to the alleged controversy, the central government decided to refer the matter to the Central Bureau of Investigation for a comprehensive inquiry into the allegations. Based on the centre's direction, the CBI registered an FIR in the case and has so far arrested 13 people.
