NEET Paper Leak — Supreme Court Demands Accountability, NTA Overhaul Begins

General Studies Paper 2 — Governance, Education
Source: Supreme Court of India / NTA Affidavit, 2026

1. What Happened

The Supreme Court is hearing pleas seeking cancellation of the NEET-UG 2026 examination following a major paper leak.

The CBI found that subject experts hired to translate the Botany, Zoology, and Chemistry sections into Marathi misused their access and leaked the question paper. The accused have been arrested.

More than 23 lakh students were affected.

The Court observed that the National Testing Agency (NTA) must strengthen its institutional capability and hold specific duty-bearers accountable rather than merely conducting committee meetings.

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2. How the Leak Happened and What Comes Next

1. The Leak — Human Vulnerability

Subject experts from Pune hired for Marathi translation leaked the question paper.

The CBI arrested the accused individuals.

More than 23 lakh students were affected.

Weakness Identified: Human access during the translation stage.

2. Supreme Court’s Direction

The Court asked the NTA to learn from the UPSC, which conducts large-scale examinations without such breaches.

It demanded individual accountability rather than merely institutional statements.

Key Phrase: “Institutional capability must be fortified.”

3. NTA’s Planned Reforms (Affidavit to Supreme Court)

• Artificial Intelligence Translation: Around 85% of translation work to be handled by AI, reducing human access.
• Computer-Based Testing (CBT): NEET-UG to gradually shift from pen-and-paper mode to computer-based mode.
• 1,000 Secure Testing Centres: To function exclusively within government institutions.
• Blockchain and Cloud Security: Advanced cyber protection for question papers.
• Randomisation Policy: Rotation of paper setters, moderators, and vetters to prevent insider access.

4. Legal Deterrence — New Law in Place

The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024 is now in force.

Offence	Punishment
Individuals involved in paper leaks	3–10 years imprisonment
Organised syndicates	5–10 years imprisonment + minimum ₹1 crore fine + property attachment

Significance: India’s first standalone law against examination paper leaks.

K. Radhakrishnan Committee

The committee headed by former ISRO Chairman K. Radhakrishnan submitted 101 recommendations:

• 60 short-term recommendations
• 35 long-term recommendations
• Focus on examination reforms, data security, and NTA restructuring

A High-Powered Steering Committee is monitoring implementation in real time.

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3. Value Box — Key Bodies and Law

National Testing Agency (NTA)

An autonomous body under the Ministry of Education.

Established in 2017, it conducts national-level entrance examinations including:

• NEET-UG
• JEE Main
• CUET
• Other national entrance examinations

The agency is currently under scrutiny following repeated security concerns.

Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024

India’s first dedicated law dealing with examination malpractice.

It criminalises:

• Paper leaks
• Tampering with answer sheets
• Creation of fake merit lists
• Organised cheating networks

Punishments:

• Individuals: 3–10 years imprisonment
• Organised syndicates: 5–10 years imprisonment
• Minimum ₹1 crore fine
• Property seizure and attachment

K. Radhakrishnan Committee

A High-Level Committee of Experts headed by former ISRO Chairman K. Radhakrishnan.

The committee submitted 101 recommendations on:

• Examination reforms
• Data security
• Governance reforms
• NTA restructuring

Implementation is being monitored by a High-Powered Steering Committee.

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Prelims Practice Question

Consider the following statements regarding the National Testing Agency and India’s examination reform framework:

1. The National Testing Agency is an autonomous body under the Ministry of Education, established in 2017 to conduct national-level entrance examinations such as NEET-UG and JEE Main.
2. Under the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, individuals found guilty of paper leaks face a maximum punishment of 3 years imprisonment, while organised syndicates face up to 5 years.
3. The K. Radhakrishnan Committee, headed by the former ISRO Chairman, submitted 101 recommendations on examination reforms and National Testing Agency restructuring.

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Correct Answer: (c) 1 and 3 only