Doctors' Body Petitions SC for NTA Replacement After NEET-UG Cancellation Due to Leak
A doctors' body has moved the Supreme Court seeking the disbandment of the National Testing Agency (NTA) and its replacement with a more robust, independent, and technologically advanced body to conduct NEET examinations. The petition follows the cancellation of the NEET-UG 2026 exam held on May 3 after allegations of a paper leak surfaced. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has been assigned to probe the matter.
Rajasthan SOG ADGP Vishal Bansal revealed that a "guess paper" containing 410 questions circulated among students nearly a month before the exam, with approximately 120 questions allegedly appearing in the chemistry section. Investigators found the leaked material on WhatsApp and Telegram on students' phones but have yet to identify the source of the leak.
The petition also demands digital locking of question papers and a transition to computer-based testing to eliminate risks associated with physical paper handling. It further requests the publication of centre-wise results for transparent detection of irregularities and asks the CBI to file a status report within four weeks detailing the investigation's progress, including arrests and charges.
The NTA cancelled the exam after inputs from central agencies and law enforcement findings indicated the examination process could not be allowed to stand. The agency stated the cancellation was necessary to protect the integrity of the system and serve students' best interests. Protests erupted in Delhi and Kerala as student organizations expressed anger over the cancellation.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge criticized the BJP government, claiming at least four NEET papers have leaked since 2016. Aam Aadmi Party's Arvind Kejriwal urged students to demand accountability, while Rahul Gandhi accused the government of rewarding officials involved in the 2024 controversy. Former NTA chief Subodh Kumar Singh, removed after the 2024 irregularities, was later appointed to senior positions in Chhattisgarh.