Supreme Court Demands End to NEET Errors, Pushes for Secure Digital Exams

India's Supreme Court on Friday issued a stern directive to the Centre and the National Testing Agency (NTA), demanding an immediate end to the 'series of errors' plaguing the NEET-UG examination. Justices PS Narasimha and Alok Aradhe specifically sought a detailed plan for a complete shift to Computer-Based Testing (CBT), stressing that data protection and cybersecurity must be paramount in this transition. The Court made it clear that it would closely monitor the implementation of long-term institutional reforms, rejecting temporary 'ad hoc' solutions. This judicial intervention comes amidst widespread controversy following the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak, which led to the exam's cancellation in May and a subsequent re-examination in June. The NTA has recently faced criticism for alleged discrepancies in OMR sheets, which it claims were fabricated, some even using Artificial Intelligence. In response, the agency has terminated 47 officials and announced a major overhaul. The government had previously formed the Radhakrishnan Committee to recommend reforms and enacted the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, to deter such malpractices. The Supreme Court has given the Centre until July 27 to file a comprehensive affidavit detailing its roadmap for these reforms, including the proposed governing board structure and technological safeguards. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta assured the bench that the government is taking the matter very seriously and will go 'ten extra miles' to strengthen the examination system. This ongoing scrutiny signals a critical juncture for India's premier medical entrance exam, with the Court determined to ensure lasting transparency and security for millions of aspiring students.