New Delhi

The Supreme Court on Friday declined requests for an immediate hearing on two petitions concerning the NEET-UG 2026 re-examination scheduled for June 21, stating that all matters related to the medical entrance test would be taken up by a bench headed by Justice P.S. Narasimha after the court resumes regular proceedings in July.

A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice V. Mohana made it clear that issues linked to the examination were already assigned to Justice Narasimha’s bench.

“All NEET-related matters will be heard by Justice Narasimha’s bench,” the Chief Justice observed when lawyers sought urgent listing of the petitions.

The National Testing Agency (NTA) had cancelled the original NEET-UG examination conducted on May 3 following allegations of a paper leak. A fresh examination has been scheduled for June 21, while the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) continues to probe the controversy.

One of the petitions, mentioned before the court by advocate Adeel Ahmed on behalf of a group of aspirants, seeks reconsideration of the June 21 re-test date. The petitioners have urged authorities to review the schedule after considering representations submitted by candidates from several states and Union Territories.

According to the plea, students have raised concerns over inadequate preparation time, mental stress caused by the cancellation of the original examination, uncertainty surrounding the admission process, logistical challenges, and apprehensions regarding the integrity of the re-test.

The petition clarifies that it does not oppose the decision to conduct a fresh examination. Instead, it challenges what it describes as the arbitrary fixation of the re-test date without allowing candidates sufficient time to prepare.

The plea argues that the abrupt cancellation of the earlier examination and the announcement of a new date created widespread anxiety among aspirants. It also refers to reports of alleged paper leaks, rumours circulating on social media, and repeated clarifications issued by authorities, claiming these developments have intensified confusion and psychological pressure on students.

The petition further cites reports highlighting the mental-health impact of the controversy on aspirants, including instances of extreme distress and alleged suicides linked to examination-related anxiety.

The petitioners have requested the court to direct authorities to postpone the re-test and conduct it on a later date after providing candidates with a reasonable preparation period.

The issue comes against the backdrop of ongoing proceedings before the Supreme Court concerning the NEET-UG controversy. During a hearing on May 29, the apex court remarked that the larger problem would persist unless genuine accountability was ensured in the examination system.

At that hearing, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed the court that the government was treating the issue with utmost seriousness and that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was personally monitoring developments to ensure corrective measures were implemented.

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Mehta had also stated that additional safeguards and monitoring mechanisms had been introduced for the re-test scheduled on June 21.