NEET paper leak: Supreme Court refuses immediate hearing on demand for computer-based re-exam
The Supreme Court rejected an urgent plea to shift the NEET UG 2026 re-exam to computer-based format, postponing the hearing until after court vacations. Meanwhile, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education will discuss NEET issues, CBT vs. pen-and-paper exams, and the CBI’s ongoing probe into the paper leak, which has led to arrests and nationwide protests targeting Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
The Supreme Court declined an urgent hearing on a petition seeking to convert the NEET UG 2026 re-exam, scheduled for June 21, into a computer-based test (CBT). A vacation bench comprising Justices PS Narasimha and Arvind Kumar deferred the matter, stating it would be addressed after the court’s recess. Justice Narasimha noted that the National Testing Agency (NTA) is re-conducting the exam and directed the petition to be taken up later. The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education, Women, Children, Youth, and Sports will examine NEET-related issues, including the merits of pen-and-paper vs. CBT exams. The committee’s first agenda item involves reviewing the government’s response to recommendations from its 364th Report on the Department of Higher Education’s Demands for Grants (2025–26). On Tuesday, discussions will extend to the implementation of On-Screen Marking (OSM) in CBSE Class 12 exams and challenges faced by students. The NEET UG 2026 exam was canceled and rescheduled following a paper leak investigation, which led to the CBI arresting 13 individuals. CBI Director Praveen Sood and NTA Director General Abhishek Singh briefed the committee on the probe’s progress during a recent meeting. Meanwhile, the CBSE has reinforced cybersecurity measures for its OnMark portal after vulnerabilities were identified during OSM evaluations. Protests erupted in Pune, Maharashtra, as the Indian Youth Congress (IYC) demanded action against Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. IYC National President Uday Bhanu Chib accused Pradhan of ‘selling the youth’s future for money’ and vowed to continue protests until justice is served. The Rouse Avenue Court extended the CBI’s custody of accused individuals involved in the paper leak scandal. The controversy has intensified debates over exam security, with students and opposition groups calling for transparency and accountability. The NTA and CBSE are under scrutiny as they address technical and administrative failures amid the ongoing fallout from the leak.
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