The Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA) on May 13 moved the Supreme Court seeking reforms in the NEET-UG examination system. (AI-generated image)Supreme Court on NEET UG Paper Leak Case Live Updates: The Supreme Court on Friday expressed concern over the implementation of reforms introduced in the wake of the NEET-UG 2024 paper leak controversy, remarking that it was “sad” that the authorities appeared not to have “learned their lessons” despite detailed guidelines and directions issued by the Court.
The bench directed the National Testing Agency (NTA) and the chairperson of the monitoring committee constituted pursuant to the court’s earlier orders to file affidavits. The affidavit is expected to detail the steps taken to ensure compliance with the recommendations of the high-powered committee set up to reform the examination process.
Previously, the Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA) last moved the Supreme Court on May 13 seeking a slew of reforms in the NEET-UG examination system after the cancellation of the 2026 medical entrance examination over allegations of NEET paper leak.
Following the NEET paper leak, the petition was filed through advocate Tanvi Dubey, seeking multiple directions, including replacing or fundamentally restructuring the National Testing Agency (NTA) and reconducting the exam under a judicially appointed high-powered committee
NEET paper leak: Key directions sought
- Replace or fundamentally restructure the NTA into a more robust, technologically advanced, and autonomous body to conduct the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test-Undergraduate (NEET-UG).
- Appointment of a high-powered monitoring committee chaired by a retired Supreme Court judge, a cybersecurity expert, and a forensic scientist, to supervise the re-conduct of NEET-UG 2026, until the proposed National Examination Integrity Commission (NEIC) is formally constituted to oversee the re-examination.
- Direct the NTA or the newly appointed exam-conducting body to strictly comply with the report of the K Radhakrishnan Committee, set up after the 2024 NEET controversy, which suggested measures to improve the NTA’s functioning.
NEET paper leak
The NTA on May 12 cancelled the NEET-UG exam for admission to undergraduate medical courses, nine days after it was held on May 3, following an alleged NEET paper leak — the first time such a decision has been taken by the agency since the exam was introduced in 2016.
The cancellation triggered protests by student organisations, mainly in Delhi and Kerala, and drew sharp criticism from the Opposition, which accused the government of crushing the “hard work, sacrifices, and dreams of more than 22 lakh students”. Around 22.7 lakh candidates had registered for the exam, and 22.05 lakh appeared for it.
NEET UG Paper Leak Case Live Updates: Strict statutory penalties
It was emphasised in the petition that the creation of a new testing agency would impose strict statutory penalties for leaks and a legally mandated grievance redressal mechanism for students. The petitioner added in its petition that the chairperson and their functions would be defined by law, making the body directly answerable to the legislature.
NEET UG Paper Leak Case Live Updates: Dissolution of NTA
The petition sought the dissolution of the NTA in its current form and the enactment of a Parliamentary Act to create a new testing authority.
NEET UG Paper Leak Case Live Updates: Violation of Articles 21, 14
It was alleged in the petition that the recurring leaks constitute a violation of Articles 14 (Right to Equality) and 21 (Right to Life/Livelihood), as the state has failed to provide a fair and merit-based selection process.
NEET UG Paper Leak Case Live Updates: NTA's answerability
The core legal contention of this petition filed by UDF was that, unlike the UPSC (Constitutional) or SSC (statutory), the NTA is not directly answerable to Parliament.
NEET UG Paper Leak Case Live Updates: Petitioner on sanctity of paper
The petition filed by UDF also mentioned that the total cancellation of the exam on May 12, 2026, served as a formal admission by the authorities concerned that the paper's sanctity was breached, making it impossible to separate "tainted" candidates from "untainted" ones.
NEET UG Paper Leak Case Live Updates: Petitioner on organised national syndicate
Advocate Mathur also mentioned in her petition that the racket was traced back to a multi-state network stretching from Maharashtra (Nashik) and Haryana to Kerala, proving that the NTA's localised security protocols were wholly bypassed by an organised national syndicate.
NEET UG Paper Leak Case Live Updates: Petitioner over guess paper racket
It was pointed out in the petition that on May 7, 2026, four days after the examination, the Rajasthan Special Operations Group (SOG) allegedly began investigating a "guess paper" that had been widely circulated via WhatsApp and Telegram.
NEET UG Paper Leak Case Live Updates: Petitioner over guess paper racket
Dr Charu Mathur, who appeared as counsel in the petition filed by UDF, added that despite claims of high-tech safeguards, the examination was compromised by an organised "guess paper" racket.
NEET UG Paper Leak Case Live Updates: Petitioner talked about dictating academic and professional futures
In a related matter linked to the NEET UG paper leak, the petition mentioned that NEET-UG constitutes the sole gateway for undergraduate medical admissions in India, directly dictating the academic and professional futures of over 22.7 lakh students. It was added that the recurring compromise of this examination is a direct assault on the fundamental guarantees of equality and right to
life/livelihood under Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution.
NEET UG Paper Leak Case Live Updates: Petitioners in case
In another related case linked with this NEET UG paper leak case, one of the petitioners was the United Democratic Front (UDF).
NEET UG Paper Leak Case Live Updates: Court to hear matter next on Friday
Bench: This affidavit shall be filed within 3 days from today. List this matter on Friday
NEET UG Paper Leak Case Live Updates: Court's directions
Bench: We direct, in the meanwhile, we direct NTA to file an affidavit indicating the position as regards. The monitoring committee, constituted on 14th November 2024, We also directs Dr K Radhakrishnan, appointed as the chairman of the monitoring committee, to file an affidavit. indicating the steps taken to ensure compliance with the directions given by the high-powered committee. That has given its report on so and so.
NEET UG Paper Leak Case Live Updates: Court expressed concerns
Counsel: There's a small urgency. The next exam date has already been announced.
Bench: So what has that got to do? We are not so much about the examination. It's so sad that they haven't learned their lessons.
Counsel: There were detailed guidelines.
Bench: With so much difficulty, this court passed the order, heard all of you and passed the order. And the judgment is there, directing the constitution of a committee. The committee has gone into it, given recommendations, and those recommendations were accepted. And a monitoring committee is also appointed.
NEET UG Paper Leak Case Live Updates: Court on parties of case
Bench: Who else are there?
Counsel: Ministry of Education, Education and the NTA.
Bench: And have you made the National Testing Agency?
Counsel: It's a party, it's a party.
Bench: A copy of the petitions shall be served on all the respondents.
NEET UG Paper Leak Case Live Updates: Court on connected matters
Bench: There are also connected matters. We are issuing notice even in the connected matters. A copy of the speciality petition shall also be the writ petition shall also be served on the learners' Solicitor General of India.
NEET UG Paper Leak Case Live Updates: Court on exam
Counsel: there's a small urgency. The next exam date has already been announced.
Bench: So what has that got to do? We are not so much about the examination.
NEET UG Paper Leak Case Live Updates: Court to start notice
The apex court said it will issue notice on this matter, along with all other matters related.
NEET UG Paper Leak Case Live Updates: Court starts hearing
The Supreme Court is hearing this matter.
NEET UG Paper Leak Case Live Updates: Court to start hearing soon
The Supreme Court to start hearing soon.