SC asks Centre to explain NEET paper journey from printing to exam hall on August 6

From the printing press to the examination hall, the Centre will place the entire NEET question paper security process before the Supreme Court on August 6 as the court continues to monitor reforms after the 2026 paper leak controversy.

In Short

• Bench sought clarity on protection methods used across the exam chain
• Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said the process would be explained comprehensively
• Petitions seek stronger safeguards and wider reforms to improve examination credibility

The Centre on Monday informed the Supreme Court that it will explain, step by step, how the NEET question paper is secured from the time it is printed until it reaches candidates at examination centres. The government will place the entire process on record through an affidavit when the matter comes up for hearing on August 6.

A Bench of Justices P S Narasimha and Alok Aradhe agreed to hear a batch of petitions seeking stronger safeguards against paper leaks on Thursday after the Centre sought time to submit its response.

FROM PRINTING TO THE EXAM HALL

Appearing for the Centre, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told the court that the government wanted to explain the methodology adopted to safeguard the examination at every stage.

He said the affidavit detailing the process would be filed during the day on August 6. The Bench observed that it, too, wanted to understand how the examination system functions and how question papers are protected throughout the chain.

The petitions before the court seek additional safeguards for NEET question papers and broader reforms to improve the credibility of the examination process.

REFORMS AFTER THE PAPER LEAK ROW

The hearing comes months after the NEET-UG 2026 controversy, when the examination held on May 3 was cancelled following allegations of a paper leak. A re-test was conducted on June 21, while the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) continues to investigate the alleged leak.

Earlier hearings saw the Supreme Court repeatedly stress the need for greater transparency and accountability. The court had observed that ad hoc measures could not solve the problem and said it would closely monitor the implementation of reforms.

The Bench had also asked the Centre to explain how it was implementing recommendations made by the Radhakrishnan Committee, constituted after the controversy to suggest reforms in examination processes, data security and the functioning of the National Testing Agency (NTA).

NILEKANI PANEL AND THE ROAD AHEAD

The Centre has informed the court that it is going beyond the Radhakrishnan Committee's recommendations. Following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's announcement, the government constituted a high-powered committee led by Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani to recommend next-generation reforms for India's examination system.

The panel includes former ISRO chairman S Somanath, former Intelligence Bureau director Tapan Deka, IIT Madras Director V Kamakoti, former Education Secretary Anita Karwal, and logistics expert Amrit Lal Meena.

One of the petitions has also sought restructuring or replacing the NTA with an autonomous body to conduct NEET. Another has sought a detailed standard operating procedure for the computer-based testing model proposed for future examinations.

With the matter now listed for August 6, the Supreme Court is expected to examine the Centre's affidavit and review the safeguards being put in place to prevent future paper leaks and restore confidence in India's biggest medical entrance examination.

(With PTI inputs)

- Ends