Supreme Court asks NTA reform petitioners to reply

The Supreme Court on Thursday asked petitioners, including a doctors’ association, to file replies to the Centre’s affidavit that the shift of the NEET UG examination from pen‑and‑paper to a computer‑based format is under active consideration.

Court sets timeline for further submissions

A bench comprising Justices P.S. Narasimha and Alok Aradhe said the matter will be taken up on August 19. The court instructed the parties to file their responses to the Union’s counter‑affidavit, which followed a May 29 direction for the government to explain how future NEET UG exams would be conducted.

Advocate Tanvi Dubey, representing the Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA), told the bench that if a transition to a computer‑based model is planned, it should be implemented promptly because current student preparation is geared toward the traditional pen‑and‑paper format.

Government’s stance and task‑force details

The Centre’s affidavit states that the migration to a computer‑based mode, whether a single‑stage or two‑stage exam modeled on the Joint Entrance Examination (Mains and Advanced), is “presently under active consideration by all stakeholders.” It adds that the final approach will be chosen after reviewing recommendations from a high‑powered task force chaired by Nandan Nilekani.

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The task force includes experts from technology, space, intelligence, academia and public administration. According to the affidavit, this composition “ensures a rigorous and holistic examination of the technological, security, equity, infrastructure and pedagogic dimensions of the transition.”

The government also claims to have undertaken an overhaul of NEET administration to eliminate paper leaks and systemic failures. It cites the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Act, 2026, which strengthens the legal framework against examination fraud, building on the 2024 law that criminalised question‑paper leaks, impersonation and tampering with computer systems.

Senior advocate Pijush Kanti Roy and advocate Satyam Singh Rajput appeared for RJD MP Sudhakar Singh, who is seeking reforms to the National Testing Agency (NTA), the body that conducts NEET UG.

Background on recent controversies

In May 2026, the NTA cancelled the NEET UG exam held on May 3 after allegations of a paper leak. A retest was conducted on June 21. The Central Bureau of Investigation is probing the leak allegations. A similar leak in 2024 led the Supreme Court to refuse cancellation but to issue directives aimed at preventing future breaches, including criteria for cancelling public exams.

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These incidents have intensified calls for structural changes to the NTA, with some petitioners asking the court to replace or restructure the agency into a more autonomous body.

Students await the court’s decision.

While the legal and administrative processes unfold, the immediate concern for aspirants is the uncertainty surrounding exam format. If the shift to a computer‑based system proceeds, students will need to adapt study materials, practice with digital mock tests and possibly invest in new equipment. For many, especially those in remote areas with limited internet access, the transition could add logistical challenges that affect preparation timelines.

In the coming weeks, the Supreme Court will review the replies from petitioners and consider the Centre’s plans. The outcome could shape how medical entrance examinations are conducted in the coming years, potentially setting a precedent for other national tests.