The Supreme Court on Monday declined to direct the National Testing Agency (NTA) to conduct the re-examination of the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (Undergraduate), 2026, scheduled for June 21 through a Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode instead of the existing pen-and-paper format, effectively refusing interim relief sought in a petition seeking examination reforms.
The Bench of Justice PS Narasimha and Justice Aravind Kumar expressed its unwillingness to interfere with the examination process at this stage and adjourned the matter to July after the Court’s summer vacation. In view of the scheduled re-test on June 21, the order effectively rules out any immediate change in the mode of examination.
The Court was hearing a writ petition filed by Rajya Sabha MP Sudhakar Singh seeking multiple directions concerning the conduct of the NEET-UG 2026. At the outset, the counsel for the petitioner submitted that he was pressing only the prayer seeking the conduct of the re-examination through a CBT format and was not pursuing the remaining reliefs sought in the petition.
The Bench, however, noted that similar pleas had previously been rejected. Justice Narasimha observed that the Court had already dismissed comparable petitions and pointed out that the examination authorities were presently dealing with the logistical and administrative challenges arising from the cancellation of the earlier examination and the conduct of a fresh test.
When informed that the authorities were proceeding with arrangements for the re-test in the conventional pen-and-paper format, the Bench indicated that it was not inclined to intervene. The Court observed that directing a change in the examination mode at such an advanced stage would not be feasible and noted the practical difficulties faced by the authorities in reconducting the examination.
Referring to the circumstances leading to the re-examination, Justice Narasimha remarked that the authorities were already functioning under considerable pressure after the cancellation of the earlier test and the need to organise a fresh examination within a limited timeframe. The Bench accordingly deferred consideration of the matter and stated that it would be taken up after the Court vacation.
The petition was subsequently tagged with other pending matters concerning reforms in the functioning of the NTA and the conduct of national-level entrance examinations.
The matter assumes significance in the backdrop of the cancellation of NEET-UG 2026, which was conducted on May 3 and subsequently scrapped following allegations and detection of a large-scale paper leak. The controversy led to multiple petitions before the Supreme Court seeking institutional reforms, enhanced accountability mechanisms and stronger safeguards against examination malpractice.
The present petition seeks a comprehensive overhaul of the NEET examination framework and advocates a transition from the traditional pen-and-paper system to a fully computer-based testing model. According to the petitioner, a CBT-based examination would substantially reduce vulnerabilities associated with the printing, storage, transportation and physical handling of question papers while strengthening examination integrity, transparency and security.
The petition also seeks a time-bound roadmap for implementing a nationwide CBT framework for NEET-UG. It calls for details regarding infrastructure development, expansion of examination centres, technological preparedness, cybersecurity architecture and accessibility measures to ensure that candidates across the country can participate in the examination without disadvantage.
Apart from seeking a change in the mode of examination, the plea raises broader concerns regarding the institutional structure governing national entrance tests. It seeks a direction to the Union Government to replace the NTA with an independent statutory National Examination Authority equipped with stronger oversight mechanisms, technological safeguards, accountability standards and regulatory supervision.
The petitioner has further sought the constitution of a high-level monitoring committee comprising a retired Supreme Court judge, educationists, psychologists, cybersecurity experts, forensic specialists and experienced administrators to recommend structural reforms aimed at ensuring the secure and transparent conduct of national examinations.
The plea also seeks implementation of the recommendations made by the committee headed by former ISRO Chairman K. Radhakrishnan, which was constituted to examine deficiencies in the examination system and propose corrective measures.
Among the additional reforms sought are encrypted digital transmission of question papers, biometric authentication of candidates, deployment of artificial intelligence-based surveillance systems, enhanced cybersecurity protocols, mandatory digital locking of question papers and a phased transition to a fully computer-based testing environment.
The petition further seeks stringent criminal action against individuals, coaching institutes, intermediaries, institutions and public officials allegedly involved in examination paper leaks, organised cheating networks and other forms of examination malpractice. It also seeks a status report from the Central Bureau of Investigation regarding the ongoing probe into the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak, including details of arrests, chargesheets and the progress of criminal proceedings.
Additionally, the petitioner has sought greater transparency in the publication of examination results by requesting that NEET-UG results be disclosed on a centre-wise basis to facilitate detection of anomalies and identification of irregular patterns in examination outcomes.
The Supreme Court had earlier, while hearing a separate batch of petitions arising out of the NEET-UG controversy, expressed concern over the cancellation of the examination and sought responses from the Union Government and the NTA regarding measures adopted to strengthen the examination system and implement reforms recommended by expert committees. The broader issues concerning examination reforms, institutional accountability and the future framework governing national-level entrance tests are expected to be considered in the pending proceedings before the Court.
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