The Supreme Court on Monday, 2 June 2025 declined to direct the National Testing Agency (NTA) to conduct the NEET-UG 2026 re-examination in computer-based test (CBT) mode, ruling out any format change at this stage with the rescheduled pen-and-paper test set for June 21. A bench of Justices P.S. Narasimha and Aravind Kumar posted the matter for hearing in July, effectively clearing the path for the re-test to proceed as planned.

What the Court Said

Justice Narasimha's bench stated there was 'no question' of granting the relief sought at the present stage, noting that the examination had already been cancelled once and was now being reconducted. The bench expressed clear disinclination to entertain an immediate shift from the existing pen-and-paper format, observing that authorities were already engaged in organising the fresh test.

The court said the CBT issue would be taken up on the next date of listing, tagging the petition with other pending pleas seeking broader reforms in the functioning of the NTA.

The Petition and Its Arguments

The plea, filed by advocate Satyam Singh Rajput, sought urgent directions for conducting the June 21 re-examination through CBT, arguing that repeated paper leak allegations and security lapses had exposed deep vulnerabilities in the physical examination system. The petition pointed out that despite recommendations by a high-level panel chaired by former ISRO Chairman K. Radhakrishnan following the 2024 controversy, NEET-UG 2026 was conducted under substantially the same pen-and-paper framework — involving physical printing, storage, and transportation of confidential material.

Broader NTA Accountability Push

Last week, while hearing a separate batch of petitions on examination reforms, the Supreme Court stressed the need to fix individual accountability within the NTA, observing that recurring controversies would persist unless specific responsibility was assigned to officials handling different aspects of the examination process. This comes amid sustained public pressure on the agency following the high-profile NEET-UG 2024 paper leak scandal that triggered nationwide protests.

The Centre separately informed the bench that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was personally monitoring the situation following the NEET-UG 2026 controversy — a signal of the political weight the examination crisis now carries.

What Happens Next

Admit cards for the re-examination are expected to be released by June 14. The CBT format question will be revisited by the Supreme Court in July, alongside the broader cluster of NTA reform petitions. Whether the court's eventual direction on format could apply to future NEET cycles — rather than the imminent re-test — remains the central question for petitioners and reform advocates alike.