SC refuses immediate shift to online re-NEET (Img: Internet)
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday refused to issue immediate directions to conduct the June 21 re-NEET examination in Computer Based Test (CBT) mode, allowing the National Testing Agency (NTA) to continue with the existing pen-and-paper format for now.
A bench led by Justice P.S. Narasimha was hearing a petition filed by Rajya Sabha MP Sudhakar Singh seeking urgent reforms in the NEET UG examination process following concerns over alleged paper leaks and exam security.
The petition requested the court to direct the NTA to shift NEET UG 2026 from the traditional offline format to a secure computer-based examination system. It also urged the implementation of key recommendations made by the Radhakrishnan panel, which was constituted after controversies surrounding the examination process.
Supreme Court refuses immediate directions to conduct the June 21 re-NEET in online CBT mode, allowing NTA to continue with the pen-and-paper format for now. The matter will now be heard along with pending petitions after court vacations.#NEETUG2026 #SupremeCourt #NTA #NEETExam… pic.twitter.com/fvNIOfH77s
— Dynamite News (@DynamiteNews_) June 1, 2026
Among the measures proposed in the plea were encrypted digital transmission of question papers and local printing of papers shortly before the examination to reduce risks linked to transportation and storage leaks.
The petitioner further sought these reforms to be implemented for the re-test scheduled on June 21, 2026.
During the hearing, the Supreme Court NEET bench observed that similar petitions had already been dismissed earlier and stated that no immediate intervention was required at this stage.
Justice Narasimha noted that the NEET Re Test had already faced disruption due to allegations of paper leaks and subsequent cancellation, adding that conducting another major transition at this juncture could create additional complications. The court decided to keep the matter pending and said it would be heard along with other related petitions after the court vacation.
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For NEET UG 2026, the NTA introduced several enhanced security protocols, including Aadhaar-based biometric verification, CCTV surveillance at centres, and AI-supported systems to detect malpractice.
These measures were introduced following recommendations aimed at improving the credibility and transparency of the examination process after the 2024 controversy.
The demand for conducting NEET in CBT mode has intensified after repeated concerns over paper leaks and exam integrity. While the NTA has continued with offline examinations so far, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan had earlier indicated that the government was considering moving NEET to an online format from next year.
However, for the June 21 re-examination, the offline pen-and-paper mode is expected to remain in place unless further directions are issued by the court.
