Parl panel questions NTA officials over NEET-UG paper leak

New Delhi, May 21: Members of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education, Women, Children, Youth and Sports on Thursday raised sharp questions before senior National Testing Agency (NTA) officials over the alleged leak of the NEET-UG examination paper, sources said.
During the meeting, several Members of Parliament sought details regarding measures adopted by the NTA to strengthen the examination system and prevent future paper leak incidents.
The committee had summoned senior officials from the Union Education Ministry, including Education Secretary Vineet Joshi. NTA Chairperson Pradeep Kumar Joshi and Director General Abhishek Singh also attended the meeting and presented details regarding implementation of reforms suggested in the Radhakrishnan Committee report.
Sources said that when MPs questioned how the NEET-UG paper leak took place, NTA Director General Abhishek Singh maintained that the examination paper was not leaked through the agency’s system.
Following this, several parliamentarians reportedly questioned how the leak occurred and why the examination had to be cancelled and re-conducted if no lapse had taken place within the NTA mechanism.
Sources added that Singh informed the panel that the matter is presently under investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
Opposition members reportedly demanded that the CBI investigation report be presented before the parliamentary panel, while some BJP members opposed the suggestion, stating that the investigating agency should be allowed to function independently.
The NTA officials informed the committee that nearly 70 percent of the short-term reform measures recommended by the Radhakrishnan Committee have already been implemented.
According to sources, the agency stated that efforts are underway to establish a foolproof examination system and conduct a comprehensive review of paper-setting and distribution mechanisms. Officials also stressed the need for involving credible professionals in the examination process.
The NTA further informed the panel that the possibility of conducting NEET examinations through Computer-Based Testing (CBT) mode is under consideration for future sessions.
Members of the committee also raised concerns regarding staff shortages within the NTA and urged the agency to fill vacant posts to ensure smooth functioning and prevent loopholes.
Sources said the NTA informed the panel that the agency currently faces nearly 25 percent staff shortage and that the recruitment process is being carried out systematically to address vacancies.
After the meeting, committee chairman and Congress MP Digvijaya Singh said parliamentary proceedings are confidential and cannot be discussed publicly. However, he stated that members had expressed serious concerns regarding the alleged NEET paper leak issue.
Officials also highlighted various preventive steps taken by the agency and the government, including preparation of detailed Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), breach management protocols for both pen-paper and CBT examinations, and enhanced coordination with state and district administrations for conducting high-stakes examinations.
The agency further informed the panel that NEET-UG 2026 was conducted on May 3 at 5,432 centres across 565 cities, including 14 international locations. The examination was held in 13 languages, with over 22.7 lakh candidates registered and more than 22.05 lakh appearing in the test.
The NEET-UG examination was recently cancelled following allegations of paper leak, and a re-test has been scheduled for June 21. (KNC)