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NEET paper leak: Plea in SC seeks NTA revamp or replacement, interim monitoring panel
FAIMA asked the Supreme Court to restructure or replace the NTA and to appoint a high-powered interim monitoring committee to oversee NEET-UG after a cancellation due to a paper leak. The May 3 NEET-UG was halted on May 12 amid leaks, with the CBI investigating and alleged security gaps cited by the petition. The filing also calls for greater transparency, including centre-wise results, and learning from past leaks.
Why It Matters
The case concerns the fairness of a national medical entrance exam affecting around 22.7 lakh students and raises questions about the adequacy of safeguards and accountability to prevent leaks and safeguard fundamental rights.
Timeline
7 Events
CBI status report and demand to publish centre-wise results
May 14, 2026
The plea asks the CBI to file a status report within four weeks on the investigation, including the network identified, arrests, charges, and progress of prosecution; it also asks the NTA to publish centre-wise NEET-UG 2026 results forthwith.
Plea describes leak details and alleged security gaps
May 14, 2026
The petition states that ‘guess papers’ circulated on WhatsApp and Telegram contained 120 questions identical to those in the Biology and Chemistry sections of NEET-UG 2026; it claims security measures such as 5G jammers, GPS tracking and AI-monitored cameras existed 'only on paper'.
NTA, Health Ministry, and CBI named as parties to FAIMA plea
May 14, 2026
The NTA, Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, and the CBI have been made parties in the FAIMA petition.
FAIMA petitions Supreme Court seeking NTA revamp and interim monitoring panel
May 14, 2026
The Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA) filed a writ petition through lawyer Tanvi Dubey urging restructuring or replacement of the NTA with a robust autonomous body to conduct NEET-UG, and seeking appointment of a high-powered monitoring committee until a fresh body is formed. The proposed committee would include a retired Supreme Court judge as chair, along with a cybersecurity expert and a forensic scientist.
NEET-UG 2026 cancelled on May 12 amid paper leak allegations
May 12, 2026
NEET-UG 2026 was cancelled on May 12 amid allegations of a paper leak. The leakage is being probed by the CBI.
NEET-UG 2026 held on May 3
May 3, 2026
The undergraduate National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET-UG) 2026 was conducted by the National Testing Agency on May 3 for admissions to medical education programmes.
2024 NEET-UG paper leak referenced in petition
2024
The petition draws parallels to the 2024 NEET-UG paper leak and cites past judicial observations on unauthorised access to strongrooms and the transport of papers.