The Supreme Court declined immediate relief on a plea seeking NEET-UG 2026 re-conduct through CBT mode, observing the immense challenges of administering the examination and noting that similar requests had previously been rejected despite concerns over paper leaks and NTA functioning.
The Supreme Court of India declined to grant immediate relief on a plea seeking the re-conduct of the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET)-UG 2026 through a Computer-Based Test (CBT) format. The examination, which was earlier scheduled for June 21, has become the subject of multiple legal challenges following allegations of a question paper leak and concerns regarding the functioning of the National Testing Agency (NTA).
A Bench comprising Justice P.S. Narasimha and Justice Aravind Kumar was hearing a petition filed by Rajya Sabha MP Sudhakar Singh, who sought urgent directions for migrating NEET examinations from the traditional pen-and-paper format to a fully digital CBT-based system. However, the Court was not inclined to grant interim relief and posted the matter for hearing in July, effectively refusing the request for an immediate re-test through the CBT mode.
During the hearing, Justice Narasimha observed that similar requests had been considered and rejected by the Court in the past. The Bench noted the enormous administrative challenges involved in conducting one of the country’s largest entrance examinations and cautioned against disrupting an already complicated process.
Addressing the petitioner, Justice Narasimha remarked:
“You know what kind of problems we are having. The examination was cancelled, it is being reconducted…the kind of pressure that they have, similar matters we have dismissed.”
The observation came amid ongoing litigation concerning the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak, which has once again placed the country’s medical entrance examination system under intense scrutiny.
Earlier Hearing
The latest hearing follows strong observations made by the Supreme Court on May 29 while dealing with a batch of petitions related to the alleged paper leak and subsequent cancellation of the examination.
A Bench comprising Justice P.S. Narasimha and Justice Alok Aradhe had then emphasized the urgent need for systemic reforms within the National Testing Agency and stressed that recurring controversies would continue unless responsibility was fixed on specific individuals within the examination framework.
The Bench observed:
“The real problem won’t stop till actual accountability arises… Unless you identify the duty holders, it will be a diffused obligation.”
The Court underscored that institutional accountability cannot remain vague and that clear responsibility must be assigned for lapses affecting millions of students.
Expressing concern over the repeated controversies surrounding national-level examinations, the Court highlighted the emotional and psychological toll borne by students and their families.
Calling the situation deeply distressing, the Bench observed:
“We cannot disappoint our students. It is not merely the student, it’s the family too… It is so much of emotions, love, time, years of study.”
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The remarks reflected the Court’s concern for the more than 22 lakh medical aspirants whose academic futures have been clouded by uncertainty following the cancellation of the examination.
Submissions before the Supreme Court
Appearing for the Union Government, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta acknowledged the importance of fixing accountability and informed the Court that the matter was receiving attention at the highest levels of government.
According to Mehta:
“The Hon’ble Prime Minister is personally supervising this.”
The submission was made while the Court examined the steps taken by the government and the NTA to prevent future breaches in examination security.
The Supreme Court also examined the implementation of recommendations made by a high-powered committee constituted after the NEET controversy of 2024. Former ISRO Chairman Dr. K. Radhakrishnan, who heads the committee, informed the Court that approximately 60 recommendations had been framed to strengthen examination security and transparency. Most of these recommendations, he stated, had already been implemented, while the remaining measures were under various stages of execution.
The Court, however, questioned how another major controversy could arise despite these reforms.
The Bench observed:
“Despite your monitoring… if this incident has happened, then there would be a problem with the recommendation. Or the monitoring may not have happened.”
The Court suggested that the NTA requires a more robust institutional structure driven by permanent experts rather than temporary or ad hoc mechanisms.
Factual Backgrounds:
The Court is currently hearing a series of petitions seeking extensive reforms in the conduct of NEET examinations and the functioning of the National Testing Agency. Several petitioners have called for a complete overhaul of the existing examination framework, while others have sought the replacement of the NTA itself.
The legal action comes in the backdrop of the NTA’s decision to cancel NEET-UG 2026 conducted on May 3 after allegations emerged alleging a question paper leak. After criticism and public concern escalated, the Centre transferred the investigation to the CBI for an independent probe.
Reports connected to the controversy claimed that “guess papers” allegedly circulated on WhatsApp and Telegram matched more than 100 questions that were said to appear in the actual examination. The claims triggered widespread outrage among students and parents, who questioned the fairness and credibility of the process.
Among the principal demands are:
- Conducting NEET examinations through a Computer-Based Test (CBT) format;
- Introduction of advanced digital security mechanisms;
- Publication of centre-wise examination results;
- Judicial oversight over the re-examination process;
- Establishment of an independent examination regulatory authority;
- Restructuring or replacement of the National Testing Agency.
One of the major petitions has been filed by the Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA), which has sought a complete restructuring of India’s medical entrance examination system. The association has requested the Court to direct the Union Government to either replace the NTA or fundamentally reform its structure by introducing a technologically advanced and autonomous examination body.
The plea refers to media reports alleging that so-called “guess papers” circulated through encrypted messaging platforms such as WhatsApp and Telegram matched a significant number of questions that eventually appeared in the examination. Describing the incident as a serious threat to the credibility of competitive examinations, the petition seeks stronger safeguards against future leaks.
FAIMA has also requested the constitution of a high-powered monitoring committee headed by a retired Supreme Court judge, assisted by cybersecurity experts and forensic specialists. The proposed committee would supervise the conduct of any fresh examination and oversee implementation of enhanced security protocols until a permanent independent oversight body is established.
The petition further advocates:
- Digital locking of question papers;
- Advanced encryption mechanisms;
- End-to-end digital monitoring;
- Gradual transition to a Computer-Based Test format.
According to the association, such measures are necessary to eliminate vulnerabilities associated with physical transportation and storage of examination material.
Another petition filed by the United Doctors Front has challenged the legal structure of the National Testing Agency itself, arguing that repeated examination controversies demonstrate institutional shortcomings. The petition seeks dissolution of the agency in its present form and replacement with a more accountable and technologically equipped regulatory framework.
Meanwhile, Sudhakar Singh’s petition specifically seeks an immediate shift to CBT-based examinations, arguing that digital testing could significantly reduce opportunities for paper leaks and other forms of malpractice.
The ongoing proceedings come shortly after the Supreme Court expressed disappointment over the NTA’s handling of examination security. On May 25, the Court observed that it was “sad” that the agency appeared not to have learned sufficient lessons from earlier controversies involving paper leaks.
The Bench indicated that unless structural reforms are implemented and accountability mechanisms are strengthened, similar incidents could continue to undermine public confidence in national examinations.
With the Supreme Court declining immediate intervention on the request for a CBT-based re-test, the matter will now be taken up again in July.
Case Title: SUDHAKAR SINGH Vs UNION OF INDIA