Delhi: The petition, filed by the Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA) along with other groups including the UDF, seeks either a complete overhaul or replacement of the NTA after the cancellation of NEET-UG 2026 over allegations of a leaked question paper. The exam, held on May 3, was scrapped on May 12, the first such cancellation since NEET was introduced in 2016. Over 22 lakh aspirants across India were affected.
During earlier hearings, the Supreme Court had sharply questioned the NTA’s functioning, remarking that it was “sad” the agency had still not “learnt its lessons” despite previous controversies and judicial interventions. The court has now directed the NTA and the chairman of the monitoring committee to submit affidavits detailing steps taken to implement reforms suggested by the K Radhakrishnan Committee, which was constituted after the 2024 NEET controversy.
At the heart of the petition is a demand for a more secure and technologically advanced examination mechanism. FAIMA has urged the court to establish a judicially monitored high-powered committee involving cybersecurity experts, forensic specialists, and retired judges to supervise future exams. The plea also recommends transitioning NEET to a Computer-Based Test (CBT) model and introducing “digital locking” of question papers to reduce risks linked to physical transportation and handling.
Meanwhile, the CBI investigation into the alleged leak continues to widen. Multiple arrests have already been made, including school officials and individuals accused of circulating leaked material through WhatsApp and Telegram groups.
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For lakhs of students and parents, however, the legal battle is about more than just reforms. It is about trust. Months of preparation, emotional stress, financial sacrifices, and dreams of becoming doctors now hang in uncertainty. Students across the country have held protests demanding accountability and transparency, while many fear another disruption could further derail academic timelines.
The Supreme Court’s eventual decision could now determine not just the future of NEET-UG 2026, but also the future structure of India’s entire entrance examination system.