The Supreme Court of India on Friday expressed deep concern over repeated controversies surrounding the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET), terming the May 3 exam paper leak and its subsequent cancellation ‘very traumatic’ and sought a detailed response from the Union Government on measures being adopted to prevent similar incidents in the future. 

A bench of the top court, comprising Justices PS Narasimha and Alok Aradhe questioned the National Testing Agency (NTA) over what it described as a continuing lack of institutional accountability despite reforms enforced after the NEET UG 2024 controversy. 

The bench noted during the hearing, “It is very traumatic if this is happening. We cannot disappoint our students. It is not merely the students, it’s the family too. It is so much of emotions, love, time, years of study.” 

Observations come during hearing of petitions filed by doctors’ association

The SC’s observations came while it was hearing petitions filed by the Federation of All India Medical Association and the United Doctors Front after NEET UG 2026 exam was cancelled on May 12, following allegations of a paper leak. 

During the proceedings, the court examined the affidavits submitted by the NTA and the High Powered Steering Committee (HPSC), led by former chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) K Radhakrishnan, regarding implementation of reforms proposed after last year’s examination controversy. 

The bench repeatedly asked Radhakrishnan how another breach could occur despite recommendations, monitoring systems and committees already being in place. It asked, “We want to ask, you originally were part of the expert committee, how much monitoring has happened about the implementation? How did this failure occur?”

Responding to the court’s questions, Radhakrishnan said that most of the 60 recommendations made by the committee had already been implemented, while some were still under process. 

He further claimed that NEET UG 2025 had been conducted smoothly and that state governments and district administrations were now more actively involved in examination security. 

The court, however, emphasised that the real issue was the absence of clearly identifiable responsibility. The bench remarked, “The real problem won’t stop till actual accountability arises. Unless you identify the duty holders, it will be a diffused obligation.” 

General Tushar Mehta defends Centre

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre, contended that the NTA had already introduced several security upgrades and institutional reforms. When Mehta submitted that the ‘buck must stop somewhere,’ the court underlined the importance of institutional continuity rather than dependence on individual officers. 

The bench remarked, “The problem with most of our institutions is adhocism. The knowledge doesn’t percolate. It is not the individual who has the capability. It is the institution,” while questioning whether the NTA possessed adequate ‘institutional memory.’

Subsequently, the court directed the Union Government to file a comprehensive affidavit explaining how future exams would be conducted and what permanent institutional mechanisms would be created within the NTA to ensure continuity and accountability. 

NTA plans major overhaul, CBT mode under consideration

As per the affidavit filed before the court, the NTA is mulling shifting NEET UG from the conventional pen-and-paper format to a computer-based test (CBT) in consultation with the Union Health Ministry and the National Medical Commission. 

Furthermore, the agency informed the court that large-scale reforms were being brought into effect, including the creation of over 1,000 secure testing centres in government institutions, AI-powered CCTV monitoring, blockchain-backed security systems and enhanced cybersecurity infrastructure. 

It further said mobile jammers supplied by Bharat Electronics Limited and Electronics Corporation of India limited were deployed at all 5,432 NEET UG 2026 centres. The affidavit also mentioned that AI tools would now handle nearly 85% of translation work to slash human intervention and minimise the risk of security breaches. 

Meanwhile, the CBI, which is probing the alleged paper leak, has laid hands on 13 accused so far, who were allegedly involved in cheating and examination fraud linked to NEET UG 2026. 

The SC will hear the matter again in the second week of July.