A major medical association has moved the Supreme Court, calling for a complete overhaul or replacement of the National Testing Agency (NTA) in the wake of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) Undergraduate 2026 paper leak. The Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA) filed a petition urging the apex court to intervene and ensure the integrity of future medical entrance examinations.
Crisis Over NEET-UG 2026 Deepens
The petition follows the NTA's decision to cancel the May 3 examination, which has left over 22 lakh medical aspirants in a state of academic uncertainty and severe mental stress. Allegations of a widespread question paper leak and irregularities have plagued the examination process, prompting a CBI investigation into a suspected 'guess paper' syndicate operating across multiple states.
Demands for Structural Overhaul and Judicial Scrutiny
FAIMA, represented by advocate Tanvi Dubey, has outlined several critical demands in its plea to the Supreme Court:
- Replacement or Restructuring of NTA: The association argues that the NTA, in its current form, is incapable of independently handling the upcoming re-test and calls for the creation of a “more robust, technologically advanced, and autonomous body” to oversee national medical admissions.
- Judicially Appointed Monitoring Committee: The petition explicitly asks for the immediate establishment of a high-powered committee, chaired by a retired Supreme Court judge, to supervise the re-conduct of the examination. This committee would also include a cybersecurity expert and a forensic scientist to guarantee the security and fairness of the process.
Key Reforms Proposed for Examination Integrity
To prevent future breaches and restore faith in the system, FAIMA has proposed concrete reforms:
- Transition to Computer-Based Test (CBT): A complete shift from traditional pen-and-paper exams to computer-based testing is urged to eliminate physical chain-of-custody risks associated with paper leaks.
- Digital Locking Systems: Implementation of mandatory digital locks on question papers to prevent transit leaks and enhance security.
- CBI Status Report: Mandating the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to submit a comprehensive progress report within four weeks, detailing the networks involved in the leak and arrests made.
- Transparency in Results: Directing the NTA to promptly publish centre-wise results of the cancelled examination to identify any mathematical abnormalities or localized cheating spikes.
The medical body contends that the existing centralized framework has failed to protect the sanctity of India's medical entrance system, disproportionately penalizing honest candidates. The petition seeks direct Supreme Court intervention to ensure a secure and fair examination process for all aspirants.