Supreme Court Orders Reforms After NEET-UG 2026 Cancellation The Supreme Court on Friday intensified its scrutiny of the National Testing Agency (NTA) following the cancellation of the NEET-UG 2026 examination due to a paper leak, emphasizing the need for institutional reforms to prevent recurring failures. A bench comprising Justice PS Narasimha and Justice Alok Aradhe highlighted the ad-hoc nature of the NTA, urging the agency to adopt a more structured approach akin to the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), which has not faced similar issues in its exams. The court directed the Union of India to file an affidavit outlining mechanisms to establish "institutional memory of continuity" through specialized personnel, ensuring the NTA is equipped to conduct exams without blemishes in the future. The hearing centered on petitions seeking to disband the NTA, with the court questioning the agency’s accountability and effectiveness. Justice Narasimha stressed that accountability must be tied to specific individuals rather than vague liability, stating, "Unless you identify the specific duty bearers, it will be difficult." He criticized the NTA’s institutional structure, calling it "ad hoc" and noting that such issues are prevalent across the country. The judge also underscored the trauma caused to students, remarking that the cancellation was "traumatic" for those who invested years in preparation. The court’s focus shifted to the Monitoring Committee, chaired by former ISRO chairman Dr. K Radhakrishnan, which was established in 2024 to address the 2024 NEET-UG paper leak. Radhakrishnan informed the bench that the committee had submitted 35 long-term and 60 short-term recommendations, most of which had been implemented.#supreme_court #union_public_service_commission #national_testing_agency #ministry_of_education #dr_k_radhakrishnan
