Top Court takes tough stance on reforms following the NEET paper leak; seeks report from Centre

July 24, 2026

Following the NEET-UG paper leak, the Supreme Court on Friday directed the Central Government and the National Testing Agency (NTA) to file a detailed affidavit regarding the progress made in implementing examination reforms.

What did the apex court say?
A bench comprising Justice PS Narasimha and Justice Alok Aradhe stated that the affidavit must outline the steps taken to implement reforms as a permanent system; reliance cannot be placed solely on temporary measures.

The Court sought information regarding the proposed operating board, expert-led units, the nomination of stakeholders, and the implementation of recommendations made by the high-level committee across ten areas. These areas include digital infrastructure, security, research and development, transparency, administration, and human resources.

The apex court also asked the Centre to explain the roles of the newly appointed Additional Directors General for security, surveillance, and vigilance, and the progress made in this regard so far.

The bench sought a status report on the reforms being implemented at every stage of the examination process—covering pre-exam, during-exam, and post-exam arrangements.
The Court inquired about the progress made—in coordination with state and district officials—regarding improvements to the examination system, the multi-stage examination process, and the procedures for managing exam centers, as well as the preparation, printing, and transportation of question papers.

What else did the apex court say?
The Supreme Court also sought details regarding the proposal to adopt a computer-based examination system and the measures planned for data security. Justice Narasimha remarked that enlisting the Indian Air Force’s assistance to ensure the secure handling of question papers following the leak was merely a temporary measure and could not serve as a permanent solution.

The Court also sought a response from the Centre regarding the proposal to use technologies like ‘DigiYatra’ to verify candidates’ identities.

The bench noted that these issues had not been addressed in the Centre’s previous affidavit. In response, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta assured the Court that the government would file a fresh affidavit. The Court stated, “We will keep a close watch on this. We will ensure that the system is institutionalized. We will monitor it throughout the year.” The Supreme Court has scheduled the next hearing on this matter for Monday.