Supreme Court Orders Institutional Reforms to Prevent NEET-UG Exam Leaks The Supreme Court on May 29, 2026, addressed the widespread trauma caused by the leaks of the NEET-UG 2024 and 2026 examination papers, emphasizing the need for systemic reforms to safeguard academic integrity. A bench led by Justice P.S. Narasimha condemned the incidents as a severe blow to students’ years of preparation, noting the emotional and financial investment families had made. The court highlighted the necessity for institutions like the National Testing Agency (NTA) to cultivate institutional memory and accountability to prevent recurrence. The justices criticized the ad-hoc nature of operations within NTA and other bodies, pointing out that frequent transfers of experienced personnel led to a loss of institutional knowledge. Justice Narasimha stressed that institutions must retain their "memories" to learn from past mistakes, rather than relying on individual expertise. The court directed the Ministry of Education to submit an affidavit within six weeks outlining measures to strengthen the NTA’s capacity and ensure accountability. This included retaining specialized staff, preserving institutional expertise, and establishing clear lines of responsibility. The court also underscored the importance of effective accountability, noting that the NTA must adopt practices similar to the Union Public Service Commission, which had never faced such a crisis. Justice Narasimha warned that without identifying specific individuals responsible for failures, systemic issues would persist. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta confirmed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was personally overseeing efforts to secure the NEET-UG system.#supreme_court #central_bureau_of_investigation #national_testing_agency #narendra_moddi #justice_p_s_narasimha
