SC Raps NTA Over NEET-UG Paper Leak; CBT Mode Recommended for 2027 New Delhi: Amid mounting pressure over national entrance exam irregula...
SC Raps NTA Over NEET-UG Paper Leak; CBT Mode Recommended for 2027
New Delhi: Amid mounting pressure over national entrance exam irregularities, the Supreme Court of India on Friday pulled up the National Testing Agency (NTA), emphasizing the immense mental trauma inflicted upon millions of students and their families.
The bench remarked that premier bodies like the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) maintain unblemished records, urging the NTA to transition away from ad-hoc operational setups to permanent, expert-driven oversight mechanisms.
1. High-Security Measures Drafted for June 21 NEET Re-Test
In a bid to restore public confidence, the NTA submitted a comprehensive security affidavit detailing stringent new safeguards for the upcoming June 21 re-examination:
Defense & CAPF Logistics: The Union government is actively considering deploying the Indian Air Force (IAF) to securely airlift question papers, while the Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) will escort trunks from printing facilities to local hubs.
Structural Overhaul: The agency has created 16 new senior posts, including appointing two Joint Secretary-level officers as Additional Director Generals to strictly oversee technology operations and security.
Surveillance Compliance: Mandatory CCTV installation across all centers is now legally bound to a 90-day footage preservation window, followed by post-exam forensic analysis to catch anomalous student behavior.
Refund Deadline Extended: Candidates seeking fee refunds from previous disruptions have been granted an extension until June 22, 2026, to update their bank details on the official portal.
2. Complete Transition to CBT Mode from 2027
A pivotal component of the NTA’s submission includes the recommendation of its High-Level Committee of Experts (HLCE) to entirely abolish the traditional pen-and-paper format for medical entrance.
Official Stance: Future iterations of the NEET-UG exam will transition entirely to a Computer-Based Test (CBT) platform beginning from the 2027 academic cycle. This structural shift is being coordinated alongside the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to minimize the logistical risks associated with the transit of physical question papers.
3. Revised CUET-UG 2026 Schedule & Admit Cards Issued
Separately, the NTA has regularized the schedule for the Common University Entrance Test (CUET-UG) 2026 after the May 28 sessions were deferred due to the Id-ul-Zuha (Bakrid) festival.
The rescheduled papers will now be split into three subsequent windows:
May 31, 2026
June 6, 2026
June 7, 2026
Fresh, updated admit cards detailing revised shift timings and venue arrangements for the May 31 session are now active for download on the official portal (cuet.nta.nic.in). Admit cards for the June 6 and 7 batches will be operationalized shortly.
