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SC to monitor NEET fixes, no more ‘ad hoc’

Bench tells Centre to file a full roadmap on NTA reforms — governance, security and CBT feasibility — and says stop-gap measures like flying papers by IAF aren’t a solution.

By Ctrl Alt DebateRest of the Republic
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An editorial cartoon shows a leaky pipeline labeled “NEET SYSTEM” held together with duct tape and buckets marked “Ad hoc,” while a large cargo plane awkwardly parked in a government corridor delivers boxes of “Question Papers.” Beside it, an unopened crate labeled “Permanent Reforms – Assembly Required” spills instruction pages like “Governance Board,” “Security,” “CBT Feasibility,” and “Data Protection.” At the hallway’s end, a doorway marked “Supreme Court” has a neat “Monitoring Checklist” on a stand with empty tick boxes. No people are in focus, just office props like metal cabinets, files, and a pedestal fan.

SC frowns on ‘ad hoc’ fixes, asks Centre for a permanent exam-reform roadmap.

Illustration generated from an editorial brief

News | Rest of the Republic

The Supreme Court on Friday said it will “monitor” the Centre’s overhaul of the National Testing Agency after the NEET-UG leak, and asked for detailed affidavits laying out permanent reforms instead of fixes “that cannot go on” year after year. These were oral remarks in open court; a written order was not on the SC website at the time of filing.

A bench of Justices P S Narasimha and Alok Aradhe sought a stage-wise plan covering governance changes (including a governing board and domain experts), security, monitoring and vigilance, transparency, digital infrastructure, R&D, international collaboration, and safeguards before, during and after exams. It also asked the Centre to spell out whether NEET should move to multi-session formats or a JEE-like model, and to detail the feasibility of computer-based testing and the data-protection architecture it would require.

Calling the use of the Indian Air Force to ferry question papers this year “only an ad hoc situation,” the bench said there must be a permanent solution. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told the Court the government is “very serious”, open to suggestions, and may go beyond the K. Radhakrishnan Committee’s recommendations. Separately, the Prime Minister on Thursday announced fast-track courts for paper‑leak cases. The next hearing date was not confirmed on the SC record at press time.

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