The Supreme Court on Monday questioned the National Testing Agency (NTA) while hearing petitions related to the alleged NEET UG 2026 paper leak controversy. The apex court sought a detailed response from the NTA and directed the agency to file an affidavit within three days regarding the measures taken after the alleged leak.
During the hearing, the court reportedly observed that the NTA “hasn’t learned its lesson” despite previous controversies surrounding national entrance examinations. The bench also issued notice to the Centre over pleas seeking major reforms in the examination system.
The petitions before the court have raised concerns over what petitioners described as a “systemic failure” in the conduct of NEET UG 2026. Several pleas have demanded a complete overhaul of the NTA, stricter safeguards against leaks, and transparent investigation into the alleged malpractice.
The NEET UG 2026 controversy intensified after reports emerged that a “guess paper” circulating before the exam allegedly matched a significant number of actual questions. The issue later triggered nationwide outrage among aspirants and parents, leading to investigations by multiple agencies including the CBI.
The court’s latest remarks also revisit the shadow of the 2024 NEET controversy, when the Supreme Court had refused to cancel the examination citing lack of evidence of a “systemic” leak. However, the recurrence of a similar controversy in 2026 has now raised fresh questions over whether the reforms recommended after 2024 were effectively implemented.
Meanwhile, the investigation into the alleged leak continues to widen. The CBI has already made multiple arrests in connection with the case, including education officials and intermediaries allegedly involved in the paper leak network.
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