FAIMA Moves Supreme Court Seeking NTA Overhaul After NEET-UG 2026 Cancellation
The Federation of All India Medical Associations (FAIMA) has approached the Supreme Court with a petition alleging a “systematic failure” in the conduct of NEET-UG 2026 by the National Testing Agency (NTA). The organization is demanding either a complete replacement or a thorough restructuring of the testing body, alongside a demand for the re-examination to be held under judicial supervision.
Demand for a New Examination Body
In its submission, FAIMA has called upon the court to direct the central government to substitute the NTA with a more resilient, technologically advanced, and independent entity for the purpose of conducting the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET). The petition argues that the current framework has proven inadequate in safeguarding the integrity of such a high-stakes examination.
Context: The Cancellation of NEET-UG 2026
This legal action comes just days after the NTA annulled the NEET-UG 2026 examination, which was held on May 3, following widespread allegations of a question paper leak. The central government subsequently handed over the investigation to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Reports indicate that “predicted question papers” circulating on platforms like WhatsApp and Telegram contained over 100 questions that matched the actual exam paper, raising serious concerns about the security protocols in place.
Proposal for a High-Level Monitoring Committee
The petition further advocates for the establishment of a high-powered oversight committee, to be led by a retired Supreme Court judge. This committee would also include a cyber security expert and a forensic specialist. Its primary mandate would be to ensure the smooth and secure conduct of the NEET-UG 2026 re-examination until a new, permanent testing agency is established.
Key Demands: Re-test and CBT Mode
FAIMA has explicitly requested that the re-examination for NEET-UG 2026 be conducted under the watch of a senior judicial committee. This is to be implemented only after the proposed new examination body, or the court-appointed interim committee, has thoroughly verified and confirmed the security of the new examination process.
Additionally, the petition emphasizes the need to secure question papers through digital means. It also strongly recommends transitioning the examination to a Computer-Based Test (CBT) format as a strategic measure to prevent future leaks and similar malpractices.
Demand for CBI Status Report and Transparency
In a bid to ensure accountability, FAIMA has requested the Supreme Court to order the CBI to submit a status report on its investigation into the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak within a four-week timeframe. The report should comprehensively detail the entire network involved, including information on arrests made, the names of the accused, and the overall progress of the probe.
Furthermore, the petition calls for the public release of center-wise results for NEET-UG 2026 as soon as they are available. This step is proposed to facilitate the transparent detection of any anomalies or irregularities in the examination process, thereby reinforcing public confidence in the system.
