The National Testing Agency (NTA) today, before the Supreme Court, defended its decision to scrap the NEET-UG 2026 examination, stating that the move was necessary to safeguard students’ interests and restore faith in the country’s examination system after allegations of a paper leak triggered nationwide outrage.
In a detailed affidavit filed before the apex court, the NTA said the cancellation of the May 3 examination and the subsequent transfer of the probe to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) reflected the seriousness with which the agency and the Union Government viewed the issue of examination integrity. The agency maintained that extraordinary steps were taken to ensure genuine aspirants were not disadvantaged by any compromise in the test’s conduct.
The affidavit was submitted in response to directions issued by the Supreme Court on May 25 while hearing petitions seeking structural reforms in the conduct of NEET-UG examinations.
According to the NTA, the decision to annul the examination was taken only after inputs regarding suspected malpractice surfaced and central agencies were alerted for verification. The agency told the court that protecting the credibility of national-level entrance examinations remained its top priority.
The NTA argued before the court that the cancellation was aimed at preserving public trust in the system and ensuring fairness for lakhs of students who appeared for the examination across the country.
Massive examination operation
The agency informed the Supreme Court that NEET-UG 2026 was conducted at 5,432 centres spread across 552 cities in India and 14 international cities. More than 22 lakh candidates had appeared for the examination.
The affidavit stated that multiple security mechanisms had been deployed during the conduct of the examination, including biometric verification of candidates, artificial intelligence-assisted CCTV monitoring and mobile signal jammers at centres.
Despite these safeguards, information regarding possible irregularities allegedly emerged on the evening of May 7, following which the matter was escalated to central agencies the next morning.
CBI probe underway
The NTA said that after receiving inputs from investigating agencies, the examination was cancelled and the case was formally handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation for a detailed investigation into the alleged paper leak network.
The agency told the court that it is extending full cooperation to the CBI as the investigation progresses.
Officials also informed the apex court that preliminary corrective measures and structural changes have already been initiated within the examination system following the controversy.