The Supreme Court on Friday indicated that it may undertake an inspection of the National Testing Agency’s (NTA) permanent office at Minto Road, New Delhi, to assess its functioning and ascertain the extent to which proposed reforms have been operationalised amid concerns surrounding the alleged NEET-UG 2026 question paper leak.
A Bench of Justice P.S. Narasimha and Justice Alok Aradhe was hearing petitions instituted by the Federation of All India Medical Association and the United Doctors Front seeking comprehensive structural and institutional reforms in the functioning of the NTA.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Union Government, informed the Bench that the High-Powered Task Force headed by Nandan Nilekani had held consultations with the High-Level Committee of Experts chaired by Dr. K. Radhakrishnan. He requested the Court to grant time until the end of September to place the Task Force’s report on record.
The Bench, however, indicated that the Joint Secretary of the Union Government who is part of the Task Force should file an affidavit setting out the recommendations made by the body as well as the progress achieved in implementing them.
Justice Narasimha underscored that the exercise could not remain confined to the formulation of recommendations, stressing that their actual implementation and the institutional strengthening of the NTA would be of central importance.
During the proceedings, when the Court was informed that the NTA had established a permanent office at Minto Road, Justice Narasimha observed that the Bench could consider visiting the premises to obtain a first-hand assessment of its functioning, including its available manpower and administrative infrastructure.
The Court also emphasised the necessity of ensuring an adequate complement of permanent personnel within the agency, instead of excessive dependence on officials serving on deputation.
The Bench permitted an intervention application moved by Dr. Mangala Kohli, former Assistant Director General of Health Services and one of the founders associated with the NEET examination.
Advocate Tanvi Dubey, during the hearing, suggested that any proposed shift from the traditional pen-and-paper mode of examination to computer-based testing should be accompanied by a clearly defined implementation timeline. The Solicitor General informed the Court that the government was examining the issue.
The Supreme Court further directed the NTA to make its affidavit available on its official website so that stakeholders could peruse its contents and offer their inputs.
The Joint Secretary associated with the High-Powered Task Force was directed to place an affidavit before the Court detailing the progress made on the proposed reforms within two weeks.
The Bench also directed the creation of a dedicated email address through which stakeholders would be able to submit suggestions concerning examination-related reforms and measures aimed at strengthening the examination system.
The post NEET-UG case: Supreme Court judges to visit NTA office to check examination system appeared first on India Legal.