gave The Supreme Court A crucial plea to dissolve or reconstitute the National Testing Agency (NTA) over the alleged NEET UG 2026 paper leak controversy is set to be heard on Thursday, a matter that has once again put the country’s medical entrance examination system under intense scrutiny, according to media reports.The petition was jointly filed by the Federation of All India Medical Associations (FAIMA) and the United Doctors Front (UDF), both of which accused the NTA of failing to protect the integrity of one of India’s largest and most competitive examinations.The matter comes after the Supreme Court made scathing observations against the examination agency, remarking that “it is regrettable that the NTA has not learned lessons from the earlier NEET paper leak.”
Supreme Court has sought reply from Centre, NTA and CBI.
A bench comprising Justices PS Narasimha and Alok Arade had earlier sought responses from the Centre, NTA and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on pleas seeking to replace the existing examination body with a strong and independent one.The court directed the NTA to file an affidavit by Thursday detailing its compliance with the directions issued by the Supreme Court following the NEET 2024 controversy. The apex court also ordered the agency to file a counter affidavit in the present case.The chairman of the monitoring committee has also been asked to ensure strict implementation of the previous directions of the court. Applications have also been sent to Solicitor General Tushar Mehta and other parties connected with the case.
FAIMA termed NEET UG 2026 leak as ‘systemic failure’
In its petition, FAIMA argued that the alleged leak and subsequent cancellation of NEET UG 2026 exposed a “systemic failure” in the functioning of the NTA.The medical association said the repeated controversies surrounding the exam had seriously damaged public confidence in the country’s testing system and raised serious questions about the agency’s ability to conduct safe and transparent tests.The petitioners have urged the court to either replace the NTA entirely or completely change its structure by creating a more secure and autonomous mechanism for conducting the NEET UG examinations in future.
Demand for High Power Monitoring Committee
One of the key demands made in the petition is the formation of a high-powered monitoring committee to oversee the re-conduct of NEET UG 2026.According to the petitioners, the committee should include:
- Retired Supreme Court Judge
- Cyber Security Specialist
- A forensic scientist
The petition argues that the proposed panel should oversee the entire examination process until the new National Examination Integrity Commission (NEIC) is formally established.The petition added that the NEIC should act as an independent body dedicated to maintaining the security, transparency and accountability of examinations.
The petitioners demand immediate reforms in the examination system.
FAIMA and UDF have also demanded strict implementation of the recommendations made by the K Radhakrishnan Committee, which was formed after the NEET 2024 controversy to recommend reforms in the functioning of the NTA.The petition demanded that any future examination process should remain under judicial supervision until authorities confirm that adequate safeguards are in place.Among the key reforms required are:
- Introduction of “Digital Locking” of Question Papers
- Transition from pen and paper exams to Computer Based Test (CBT) model
- Strong cyber security system
- Improved monitoring and transportation mechanism for question papers
The petitioners argued that the changes to the CBT model could significantly reduce the risks associated with the physical handling and transportation of question papers.
CBI has also sought a status report.
The petition further requested the Supreme Court to direct the CBI to submit a detailed status report on the ongoing NEET paper leak investigation.The application seeks information on:
- Networks were identified in the leak case.
- Arrests made so far
- Individuals were formally charged.
- Prosecution Progress
The demand reflects growing concerns over the scale of the alleged leak and whether regulated networks have compromised the examination process.
The NEET UG 2026 controversy sparked nationwide protests.
NEET UG 2026 was conducted earlier this month for lakhs of medical aspirants across the country. However, allegations of paper leaks from several examination centers sparked outrage among students and parents.The controversy quickly turned into nationwide protests, with candidates demanding the cancellation of the exam and a court-supervised inquiry into the conduct of the test.The latest hearing is expected to be a turning point in the ongoing NEET controversy, as the Supreme Court examines whether India’s premier medical entrance exam needs structural reforms in addition to temporary reform measures.
