Plea in Supreme Court seeking dissolution of NTA after NEET-UG exam paper leak

The plea comes days after the NTA cancelled the NEET-UG 2026 examination, which was held on May 3, following a paper leak. At least six people, including the alleged mastermind, have been arrested from different parts of India after the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) took over the probe.

In Short

• Petition describes recurring examination lapses as institutional failure
• Plea seeks statutory framework for testing agency
• Plea comes after NEET 2026 cancelled due to paper leak

The United Doctors Front, a group advocating for the rights of medical professionals, has filed a petition in the Supreme Court seeking the dissolution of the National Testing Agency (NTA) in its current form and urging the Centre to establish a statutory national testing body through an Act of Parliament.

The plea comes days after the NTA cancelled the NEET-UG 2026 examination, which was held on May 3, following a paper leak. At least six people, including the alleged mastermind, have been arrested from different parts of India after the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) took over the probe.

The plea alleges “systemic failure” by the NTA in conducting the entrance examination for undergraduate medical institutes and seeks urgent judicial intervention against what it describes as recurring lapses compromising the integrity of national-level entrance tests.

'NEW STATUTORY TESTING AGENCY'

The petition has sought directions to the Centre to constitute or restructure the NTA under a statutory framework enacted by Parliament, instead of its present status as a society registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860.

It has further sought directions to the Centre to introduce legislation for the creation of a statutory national testing body with clearly defined legal powers, transparency norms, and direct accountability to Parliament.

The plea has also requested the apex court to constitute a court-monitored committee to oversee the transition process and ensure that upcoming national examinations are conducted with “zero-leak” integrity.

'VIOLATES FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS'

According to the petition, NEET examination serves as the sole gateway for undergraduate medical admissions in India and directly impacts the academic and professional future of over 20 lakh students every year.

However, the plea contends that repeated compromises in the examination process have amounted to a violation of the fundamental rights guaranteed under Articles 14 and 21 of India's Constitution, which relate to equality and the right to life and livelihood.

Meanwhile, the Delhi Medical Association has also expressed “deep concern” over the cancellation of the examination due to alleged irregularities, and has demanded immediate corrective measures, including a thorough investigation, strict action against those responsible, and systemic reforms.

COMPUTER-BASED SYSTEM FROM 2027

Meanwhile, Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan announced on Friday that the NEET-UG medical entrance examination will be conducted in a computer-based format from next year as part of a series of reforms introduced in response to alleged irregularities.

Addressing a press conference in the national capital, Pradhan said the future of students remains the government’s “topmost priority” and asserted that there would be “zero tolerance” towards any malpractice or irregularities in the conduct of the examination.

He noted that after concerns over irregularities in the 2024 NEET-UG exam surfaced, the government constituted the Radhakrishnan Committee, whose recommendations have since been implemented.

However, despite the announcement of reforms, demands for Pradhan’s resignation and the dissolution of the NTA have continued to intensify, reflecting growing public distrust in the examination system.

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