Top officials from the National Testing Agency (NTA) faced intense questioning from members of Parliament regarding the alleged leak of the NEET-UG paper. During a meeting of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education, Women, Children, Youth and Sports, the NTA’s Director General asserted that the leak did not originate within their system and that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is currently investigating the matter.
The parliamentary panel reportedly pressed NTA officials on the measures being implemented to enhance the examination system and prevent future paper leaks. The committee had summoned key figures from the education ministry, including Education Secretary Vineet Joshi. NTA officials, including Chairperson Pradeep Kumar Joshi and Director General Abhishek Singh, provided a detailed presentation on the Radhakrishnan Report’s recommendations for reforming the agency.
As per information available with TahirRihat.com, several MPs inquired how the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (Undergraduate) paper was leaked. The NTA Director General, Abhishek Singh, maintained that the leak did not occur through their systems. This prompted further questions from MPs regarding the source of the leak and the subsequent decision to cancel the exam and schedule a retest.
The NTA DG reportedly did not provide a direct answer and instead reiterated that the CBI is investigating the situation. Some opposition MPs requested that the probe report be presented before the panel, but some BJP members reportedly countered, stating that the CBI is an independent body and should be allowed to conduct its investigation without interference. Singh also presented information on the implementation of recommendations from the Radhakrishnan Report, noting that approximately 70 percent of the short-term measures suggested had already been put into action.
NTA officials stated that steps are being taken to develop a more secure examination system and that a comprehensive review is underway. They also conveyed the importance of involving reliable individuals in the paper-setting and distribution processes. Furthermore, the NTA officials indicated that conducting the NEET exam through a computer-based testing (CBT) platform is under consideration, with future exams potentially administered through this method.
MPs also raised concerns regarding staffing shortages within the NTA, stressing the need to fill vacancies to ensure the agency operates efficiently and to prevent potential security breaches. The NTA reportedly informed the committee members that there is a staff shortage of approximately 25 percent within the agency. They also stated that systematic efforts are being made to fill these vacancies to address any vulnerabilities.
Following the meeting, the chairperson of the parliamentary panel, Congress MP Digvijaya Singh, stated that the discussions held in the parliamentary committee are confidential. However, he later commented that the meeting was productive and that members had expressed concerns regarding the NEET paper leak. Officials from the NTA outlined steps taken by the agency and the government to prevent breaches and malpractices. According to the officials, detailed standard operating procedures (SOPs) and checklists for breach management in both PPT and CBT modes have been distributed to stakeholders. Collaboration with state and district administrations for high-stakes examinations and active monitoring of social media platforms for malpractice reports are also being implemented.
The NTA also informed the panel that the NEET (UG) 2026 was conducted on May 3 at 5,432 centers in 565 cities, including 14 cities abroad. The examination was administered in 13 languages, with over 22.7 lakh candidates registering and over 22.05 lakh appearing for the examination. The medical-entrance exam was cancelled after allegations of a paper leak. A re-test is scheduled for June 21 (Agencies reported).
Tahir Rihat (also known as Tahir Bilal) is an independent journalist, activist, and digital media professional from the Chenab Valley of Jammu and Kashmir, India. He is best known for his work as the Online Editor at The Chenab Times.