FAIMA petition: NTA ignored SC orders to overhaul NEET-UG after 2024 leak

FAIMA filed a petition arguing persistent, systemic failures at the NTA and urging the Supreme Court to adopt a stricter, permanent framework for transparency and digital security, including invoking Article 142. The petition criticises over-reliance on private contractors and warns that repeating flawed methods could trigger another leak in NEET-UG 2026, noting criticisms of cosmetic upgrades such as GPS tracking and 5G jammers.

The petition notes that NEET-UG 2026 was cancelled, illustrating a continued pattern of administrative failures and reinforcing the call for institutional reforms.

The government enacted the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, strengthening punitive measures against paper leaks but lacking a proactive, permanent auditing body to prevent leaks.

The Radhakrishnan Committee recommended upgrades to NTA logistics, storage, and transportation protocols to bolster security and prevent leaks.

The Supreme Court issued directions after the 2024 leak, underscoring that missteps cannot be corrected later and that consistency and fairness must be maintained in national examinations.

The rear door of a strongroom in Hazaribagh was opened and unauthorised persons were permitted to access NEET-UG question papers before the exam, illustrating a security breach cited in discussions of the 2024 leak.

During NEET-UG 2024, the NTA faced a paper leak that highlighted serious system lapses, including unauthorised access to examination materials and deficiencies in submission timelines and invigilation oversight, as noted by subsequent references to SC scrutiny.