NTA to be replaced after NEET cancellation? Medical body FAIMA files plea in SC

A petition in the Supreme Court has sought to replace or restructure the NTA after the NEET UG 2026 cancellation over an alleged paper leak. It has also called for court-monitored re-examination safeguards, stronger digital security and greater transparency.

In Short

• The petition seeks a retired judge-led panel to oversee re-examination
• Cyber security and forensic experts were proposed to guard against leaks
• The plea urged stronger digital locking and phased computer-based testing

A day after NEET UG 2026 was cancelled over an alleged paper leak, the issue has now reached the Supreme Court, with a fresh petition filed by Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA) seeking major reforms in the functioning of the National Testing Agency.

The plea asked the Centre to either replace the NTA or restructure the agency responsible for conducting national entrance examinations.

NEET UG 2026, held on May 3, was cancelled after allegations of a question paper leak and irregularities during the examination process. More than 22 lakh students had appeared for the medical entrance test across the country. The NTA has already announced that a re-test will be conducted.

The case is currently under investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation.

The petition was filed by advocate Tanvi Dubey. It asked the apex court to directly monitor the re-conduct of the examination through a committee headed by a retired Supreme Court judge.

The plea also suggested including experts such as a cyber security specialist and a forensic scientist in the proposed panel. According to the petition, the committee should supervise the entire process to prevent any further leaks or irregularities.

The petition further sought directions for the introduction of stronger digital security systems during examinations. It recommended “digital locking” of question papers and a gradual shift towards computer-based testing to reduce risks linked to the physical transport of papers.

The plea also asked the CBI to submit a status report before the court within four weeks. The report should include details about the alleged leak network, arrests made so far, charges filed, and the progress of the investigation.

Another demand in the petition was for the NTA to release centre-wise NEET UG 2026 results to help identify unusual score patterns and improve transparency.

What is FAIMA?

Federation of All India Medical Association, also known as FAIMA, is a national body representing doctors and medical professionals across India.

The organisation supported calls for changes in the current examination system. It said there is a need for a more secure and technologically stronger system for conducting NEET and other large entrance examinations.

FAIMA has also demanded stricter monitoring of the re-examination process after the cancellation of NEET UG 2026.

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