New Delhi

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has informed the Supreme Court that it has implemented extensive structural and security reforms following the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak controversy and the subsequent cancellation of the examination.

The submissions were made in response to petitions filed by the Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA) and the United Doctors Front (UDF), which have sought a comprehensive overhaul of the examination body over alleged irregularities in the conduct of NEET-UG 2026.

In an affidavit submitted before the apex court, the NTA said a High-Powered Steering Committee (HPSC) reviewed preparations for NEET-UG 2026 during a meeting held on April 17, 2026, and recommended a series of safeguards covering all stages of the examination process.

According to the agency, the recommendations included mandatory CCTV verification and preservation of footage for a minimum of 90 days, mock drills at examination centres, weather-related contingency measures, checks of power backup systems, emergency medical arrangements and detailed inspections of examination centres in the days leading up to the test.

The committee also advised post-examination forensic analysis of CCTV footage to identify suspicious activities or irregular conduct that may not be immediately detected during the examination.

The NTA further informed the court that the steering committee would meet again after the completion of NEET-UG 2026 to decide, in consultation with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, whether future editions of the examination should continue in the traditional pen-and-paper format or shift to a computer-based test mode.

The affidavit stated that several recommendations made by the High-Level Committee of Experts (HLCE) have either already been implemented or are in advanced stages of execution.

As part of the restructuring process, the NTA said 16 new senior-level posts have been created, including positions at the Director and Joint Director levels. Two Joint Secretary-rank officers have also been appointed as Additional Director Generals to oversee technology operations and examination security.

In addition, a Secretary-level officer was appointed as the Director General of the NTA in March 2026.

The agency said it has also brought in domain experts from institutions such as the IITs, UGC, CBSE, Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan and IGNOU to strengthen examination management systems and improve security mechanisms.

On coordination and monitoring, the NTA informed the court that State-Level Coordination Committees (SLCCs) and District-Level Coordination Committees (DLCCs) have been set up across the country to ensure secure and smooth conduct of examinations.

According to the affidavit, 18 SLCCs and 621 DLCCs were operational by the time NEET-UG 2026 was conducted on May 3.

These committees comprise officials from the administration, police, intelligence agencies, National Informatics Centre (NIC) and NTA, with the objective of strengthening surveillance and improving coordination during examinations.

NTA tells Supreme Court it has introduced major reforms after NEET-UG 2026 controversy

New Delhi, May 29: The National Testing Agency (NTA) has informed the Supreme Court that it has implemented extensive structural and security reforms following the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak controversy and the subsequent cancellation of the examination.

The submissions were made in response to petitions filed by the Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA) and the United Doctors Front (UDF), which have sought a comprehensive overhaul of the examination body over alleged irregularities in the conduct of NEET-UG 2026.

In an affidavit submitted before the apex court, the NTA said a High-Powered Steering Committee (HPSC) reviewed preparations for NEET-UG 2026 during a meeting held on April 17, 2026, and recommended a series of safeguards covering all stages of the examination process.

According to the agency, the recommendations included mandatory CCTV verification and preservation of footage for a minimum of 90 days, mock drills at examination centres, weather-related contingency measures, checks of power backup systems, emergency medical arrangements and detailed inspections of examination centres in the days leading up to the test.

The committee also advised post-examination forensic analysis of CCTV footage to identify suspicious activities or irregular conduct that may not be immediately detected during the examination.

The NTA further informed the court that the steering committee would meet again after the completion of NEET-UG 2026 to decide, in consultation with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, whether future editions of the examination should continue in the traditional pen-and-paper format or shift to a computer-based test mode.

The affidavit stated that several recommendations made by the High-Level Committee of Experts (HLCE) have either already been implemented or are in advanced stages of execution.

As part of the restructuring process, the NTA said 16 new senior-level posts have been created, including positions at the Director and Joint Director levels. Two Joint Secretary-rank officers have also been appointed as Additional Director Generals to oversee technology operations and examination security.

In addition, a Secretary-level officer was appointed as the Director General of the NTA in March 2026.

The agency said it has also brought in domain experts from institutions such as the IITs, UGC, CBSE, Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan and IGNOU to strengthen examination management systems and improve security mechanisms.

On coordination and monitoring, the NTA informed the court that State-Level Coordination Committees (SLCCs) and District-Level Coordination Committees (DLCCs) have been set up across the country to ensure secure and smooth conduct of examinations.

According to the affidavit, 18 SLCCs and 621 DLCCs were operational by the time NEET-UG 2026 was conducted on May 3.

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These committees comprise officials from the administration, police, intelligence agencies, National Informatics Centre (NIC) and NTA, with the objective of strengthening surveillance and improving coordination during examinations.