The Supreme Court of India on Wednesday stressed the urgent need to institutionalize the National Testing Agency (NTA) to prevent future incidents of question paper leaks. The NTA is responsible for conducting several critical entrance examinations, including the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET).
A bench consisting of Justices P.S. Narasimha and Alok Aradhe highlighted the necessity of introducing technological advancements to ensure the secure and efficient management of entrance exams. The Court was reviewing multiple petitions filed in the wake of NEET’s recent paper leak controversy.
“Our responsibility is to foster an institution of which the nation can take pride. Without proper institutionalization, valuable experience is lost when personnel are transferred,” stated the Court. The bench further urged the integration of advanced technologies to enhance the examination process.
The Court directed the Central Government to submit an affidavit detailing measures taken to adopt the recommendations from both the Radhakrishnan and Nandan Nilekani committees. The Radhakrishnan committee was established in 2024 following a similar incident of a NEET question paper leak, while the Nilekani committee was formed this year to propose reforms for competitive exams.
The Supreme Court’s directive mandates the Union of India to outline the steps being implemented towards institutionalizing the NTA. The Court expressed concerns over the need for a robust structure encompassing infrastructure, manpower, and technological assets. Notably, the Nilekani committee has suggested employing AI and blockchain technologies to strengthen the examination system.
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The case is set to be revisited in three weeks. Among the petitions, one from the Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA), represented by Advocate Tanvi Dubey, seeks either the replacement or restructuring of the NTA. The plea advocates for “digital locking” of question papers, a transition to a Computer-Based Test (CBT) model, and the publication of center-wise results for anomaly detection.
Another petition, filed by the United Doctors Front through advocates Ritu Reniwal and Charu Mathur, calls for the establishment of a statutory national testing body under direct parliamentary supervision. Additionally, a separate plea by RJD MP Sudhakar Singh and others demands the shift of NEET-UG to a CBT format and the creation of an independent examination authority.
The Solicitor General, Tushar Mehta, outlined the current measures in place to secure the examination process but acknowledged the presence of human interventions that could lead to vulnerabilities. He elaborated on the protocols for question paper creation, printing, and distribution, emphasizing strict security and surveillance measures.
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The Supreme Court’s primary concern is the institutionalization of the examination process, with a focus on secure operations, confidentiality, and cyber security. The Court has requested regular updates through affidavits on the progress made in implementing these recommendations.
