What Changes Did NTA Make After 2024 NEET Row? Aadhaar-Based Biometrics, CCTV & More, Expert Tells SC
What Changes Did NTA Make After 2024 NEET Row? Aadhaar-Based Biometrics, CCTV & More, Expert Tells SC Published By, Last Updated: May 29, 2026, 14:31
What Changes Did NTA Make After 2024 NEET Row? Aadhaar-Based Biometrics, CCTV & More, Expert Tells SC Published By, Last Updated: May 29, 2026, 14:31 IST Dr K Radhakrishnan, who currently heads the High Powered Steering Committee (HPSC) monitoring the Testing Agency (NTA) reforms, submitted an affidavit in SC on Thursday Rapid Read A candidate is being checked by security personnel at an examination center before appearing for the NEET UG-2025, in Ranchi. (Image: PTI/File) Aadhaar-based biometrics to CCTV monitoring, Dr K Radhakrishnan, who currently heads the High Powered Steering Committee (HPSC) monitoring the Testing Agency (NTA) reforms, in an affidavit in the Supreme Court on Thursday, explained the measures undertaken in the wake of June 2024 controversy. His response comes amid the current NEET paper leak, which has forced a retest. The Supreme Court of India is actively hearing petitions from bodies like the Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA) demanding a complete structural overhaul or replacement of the NTA.
To secure the upcoming June 21 re-test, the central government is considering deploying Indian Air Force (IAF) aircraft to securely transport test papers. 101 recommendations According to the affidavit, a High-Level Committee of Experts (HLCE) was formed in June 2024 after controversies around NEET and NTA examinations to recommend reforms for transparent and secure exams. The committee included experts from AIIMS, IITs, universities, and the Ministry of Education. The HLCE conducted consultations with stakeholders including students, police, states, academicians, media, and testing agencies, and received over 37,000 responses through MyGov, states the affidavit. For ‘Clean’ NEET UG: 101 Recommendations Of 2024 Versus The Ground Reality Of 2026 Explained The committee submitted a report in October 2024 with 101 recommendations for exam reforms, data security, SOPs, testing centre allocation, and anti-malpractice systems. The affidavit says the government later formed the HPSC to monitor implementation of these recommendations. The measures implemented State and district coordination committees for NEET. Over 99.5% government exam centres for NEET-UG 2026.
Aadhaar-based biometric authentication. CCTV monitoring and mobile jammers at centres. Data analytics to detect suspicious patterns. AI/ML-based grievance redressal improvements. What happened in 2024 and 2026? The Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET-UG) has faced severe back-to-back national crises, culminating in the unprecedented nationwide cancellation of the exam on May 12, 2026, following a catastrophic question bank leak. While the 2024 controversy was defined by localized malpractice and administrative issues where the government refused a retest, the 2026 controversy represents a total systemic failure that has forced over 22 lakh students to prepare for an absolute nationwide re-examination scheduled for June 21, 2026. The exam conducted on May 3, 2026, for approximately 22.79 lakh candidates was completely voided by the Testing Agency (NTA). Unlike previous leaks, the 2026 breach occurred at the core question bank level before printing and regional translations. In 2024, investigations by Bihar’s Economic Offences Unit (EOU) and the CBI found that a “solver gang" breached the exam security locally at a school in Hazaribagh, Jharkhand.
Compromised papers were photographed and distributed to a selective cluster of paying candidates. The NTA awarded controversial “grace marks" to over 1,500 candidates due to time loss at certain exam centers. This resulted in an unprecedented, statistically anomalous surge of top ranks—including 67 students achieving a perfect score of 720. Despite fierce nationwide student protests and political uproar, both the Union Government and the Supreme Court refused to cancel the exam nationwide. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: May 29, 2026, 14:28 IST News india What Changes Did NTA Make After 2024 NEET Row? Aadhaar-Based Biometrics, CCTV & More, Expert Tells SC Disclaimer: Comments reflect users’ views, not News18’s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
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