NEET UG 2026: Supreme Court May Visit NTA Office, Seeks Update On Exam Reforms
The Supreme Court has indicated that its judges may visit the NTA’s permanent office in New Delhi to examine whether the reforms introduced after the NEET UG 2026 paper leak are actually working on the ground.
The Supreme Court has indicated that its judges may visit the National Testing Agency’s (NTA) permanent office in New Delhi to assess the examination system and check whether measures introduced to prevent paper leaks are actually functioning. The development came during a hearing on petitions seeking structural reforms in the agency following the NEET UG 2026 paper leak.
A bench of Justices PS Narasimha and Alok Aradhe was hearing pleas concerning changes in the NTA and the examination system. During the hearing, the bench said it wanted to examine the agency’s functioning directly, including its systems, manpower and other arrangements.
Supreme Court May Inspect NTA’s New Facility
The possibility of a visit came after Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed the court that the NTA now has a separate permanent facility near Minto Road in New Delhi.
Justice PS Narasimha indicated that the judges could visit the premises to see whether the systems claimed by the agency are actually in place and functioning. The court also sought to understand the manpower arrangements and the way the examination body operates.
The bench’s focus was not limited to the physical infrastructure. It stressed that the examination system needs a permanent institutional structure rather than depending heavily on temporary arrangements or officials on deputation.
Court Stresses Permanent NTA Structure
During the hearing, the Supreme Court emphasised that strengthening the NTA needs to go beyond immediate fixes. The bench said that a more permanent setup, including permanent staff and dedicated verticals, would be important for building a stable examination system.
The court also raised questions around the NTA’s coordination with other institutions, data-related arrangements and whether the agency requires stronger statutory backing.
The observations assume significance as the NTA conducts several major entrance examinations, including NEET, which affects admissions to medical courses across the country.
Update Sought From Nandan Nilekani Panel
The Supreme Court also sought an update on the work of the high-powered panel headed by Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani. The panel was constituted to recommend reforms aimed at strengthening the examination system and improving its security.
The Centre told the court that the committee had conducted extensive consultations and was expected to submit its first interim report by the end of September.
The court directed the Joint Secretary of the Department of Personnel and Training, who is assisting the panel, to file an affidavit detailing the progress made so far. The matter is expected to be taken up again after the report on the reforms is placed before the court.
NEET UG 2026 Paper Leak Led To Calls For Reform
The hearing comes against the backdrop of the NEET UG 2026 paper leak controversy, which triggered demands for changes in the way national-level examinations are conducted.
The issue has also brought scrutiny to the processes used for preparing, handling and securing question papers. A CBI chargesheet in the case had raised concerns over the repeated involvement of certain subject experts at multiple stages of question-paper preparation. The agency, however, said it found no evidence implicating any NTA office-bearer or government official in the leak.
The government has subsequently announced several changes to the examination system, including a four-tier paper-checking process and changes in the pool of experts involved in examination-related work.
The Supreme Court’s latest observations indicate that the focus is now not only on announcing reforms but also on examining how those changes are implemented. The court has yet to take a final decision on the broader pleas seeking restructuring or replacement of the NTA.
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Sahil Behl is an education journalist at Jagran with over a year of experience in journalism. Prior to joining Jagran, he worked as a Sub-Editor in NDTV’s Education department, where he was responsible for writing and editing education-related content as well as managing the department’s social media presence. At Jagran, he covers a wide range of education topics, including board examinations, school updates, admissions, and job notifications, while leveraging his editorial expertise and strong understanding of digital content strategy. Sahil holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and has also completed an eight-month certification program in Data Science. Passionate about emerging technologies, particularly artificial intelligence, he closely tracks their growing role in journalism and explores how they are transforming shaping the future of the media industry.
