SC to Monitor NEET Reforms Throughout Year, Seeks Institutionalisation
UPSC / SSC current affairs note · Polity
Why in news
The Supreme Court has directed the central government to file detailed affidavits on the progress of reforms to address the NEET-UG paper leak. The Court will closely monitor the implementation throughout the year to ensure institutionalisation, rejecting ad hoc measures like IAF deployment for question paper transport.
Background
NEET-UG 2024 faced a major paper leak controversy, leading to protests and demands for reforms. The Supreme Court has been hearing petitions seeking a re-examination and systemic changes to prevent future leaks.
Key facts
Supreme Court bench of Justices PS Narasimha and Alok Aradhe heard the matter on July 24, 2026.
Court directed Centre to file affidavit on progress of reforms, not just ad hoc measures.
Justice Narasimha noted IAF deployment for safe transport of question papers was ad hoc and not a permanent solution.
Court will monitor reforms throughout the year to ensure institutionalisation.
Details sought on proposed governing board, expert-led units, stakeholder nominations, and implementation of High-Powered Committee recommendations across ten verticals.
Ten verticals include digital infrastructure, security, research & development, transparency, administration, and human resources.
Centre asked to explain role and progress of newly appointed Additional Directors General for security, monitoring, and vigilance.
Status report sought on reforms at every stage of examination cycle: pre-exam, during exam, and post-exam.
Court sought details on testing modalities with state/district authorities, multiple-session exams, examination centres, question papers, printing, and transportation.
Proposal to shift to Computer-Based Testing (CBT) and safeguards for data protection also sought.
Prelims pointers
- NEET-UG: National Eligibility cum Entrance Test for Undergraduate medical courses.
- NTA: National Testing Agency, conducts NEET-UG.
- Supreme Court bench: Justices PS Narasimha and Alok Aradhe.
- High-Powered Committee: formed to recommend reforms for NEET.
- DigiYatra: biometric-based digital verification system for air travel, proposed for candidate verification.
- Computer-Based Testing (CBT): proposed shift from pen-paper mode.
- Additional Directors General: newly appointed for security, monitoring, and vigilance at NTA.
Mains angles
- Discuss the role of the Supreme Court in ensuring transparency and fairness in high-stakes examinations like NEET-UG.
- Critically examine the effectiveness of institutional reforms versus ad hoc measures in preventing examination malpractices.
- Analyze the challenges in conducting large-scale entrance examinations in India and suggest measures to enhance security and integrity.