What’s Next for NEET-UG After Paper Leak? Parliamentary Panel Demands Answers!
Parliamentary Inquiry into NEET-UG Paper Leak
New Delhi: On Thursday, members of Parliament scrutinized senior officials from the National Testing Agency (NTA), where the agency's director general asserted that the NEET-UG exam paper was not compromised through their systems, with the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) currently investigating the incident.
During a session of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education, Women, Children, Youth, and Sports, MPs pressed NTA representatives about measures being implemented to enhance the examination process and prevent future leaks.
The committee summoned key figures from the education ministry, including Education Secretary Vineet Joshi. NTA officials, including Chairperson Pradeep Kumar Joshi and Director General Abhishek Singh, provided a comprehensive overview of the Radhakrishnan Report's recommendations for reforming the agency.
In response to inquiries regarding the NEET paper leak, Singh maintained that it did not occur through their systems. This prompted further questioning from MPs about the circumstances surrounding the leak and the necessity for a retest.
The NTA DG was unable to provide a satisfactory explanation, reiterating that the CBI is handling the investigation.
Some opposition members insisted on the need for the probe report to be presented to the committee, while others from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) countered, emphasizing the CBI's independence.
Singh detailed the implementation of approximately 70% of the short-term measures recommended in the Radhakrishnan Report, assuring the committee that efforts are underway to establish a more secure examination system.
NTA officials indicated that they are considering transitioning NEET to a computer-based testing (CBT) format for future assessments.
Concerns were raised regarding staffing shortages within the NTA, which currently faces a 25% deficit. The agency is actively working to fill these vacancies to enhance operational efficiency and mitigate potential leaks.
Following the meeting, Congress MP Digvijaya Singh, chairing the panel, stated, "Discussions within the parliamentary committee are confidential, and we cannot disclose details." He added that the meeting was productive, with members voicing their apprehensions regarding the NEET paper leak.
Earlier, NTA officials outlined the steps taken to prevent breaches, including the distribution of detailed standard operating procedures (SOPs) for breach management in both PPT and CBT formats. They also highlighted collaborations with state and district administrations to monitor high-stakes examinations and report any malpractices on social media.
The NEET (UG) 2026 was conducted on May 3 across 5,432 centers in 565 cities, including 14 international locations. The exam was available in 13 languages, with over 22.7 lakh candidates registered and more than 22.05 lakh participating.
The medical entrance exam was recently annulled amid allegations of a paper leak, with a retest scheduled for June 21.