NEET reform panel: Most of 101 recommendations implemented, SC told
Synopsis
Former ISRO chief K. Radhakrishnan has told the Supreme Court that most of the 101 NEET reform recommendations — spanning Aadhaar biometrics, CCTV expansion, state coordination panels, and a shift toward computer-based testing — are already in place or underway, marking a significant overhaul of India's most contested medical entrance examination.
Key Takeaways
Former ISRO Chairman K.
Radhakrishnan filed an affidavit before the Supreme Court on the status of NEET-UG reform implementation.
The HLCE submitted 101 recommendations on 21 October 2024 , covering security, data integrity, and institutional restructuring of NTA .
More than 99.5% of NEET-UG 2026 centres were government institutions; state coordination committees are now functional.
Aadhaar -based biometric authentication introduced as part of the DIGI-EXAM system's first phase.
16 new senior-level posts created at NTA ; domain experts from IITs , UGC , and KVS deployed.
Transition to Computer-Based Testing (CBT) recommended but requires coordination with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare .
Former ISRO Chairman K. Radhakrishnan has told the Supreme Court that a majority of the 101 recommendations made by the high-level expert committee formed in the wake of the NEET-UG 2024 controversy have either been put into effect or are under active execution, with several reforms already operational in the conduct of NEET examinations.
Background and Affidavit
In an affidavit filed before the apex court, Radhakrishnan — who headed both the High-Level Committee of Experts (HLCE) on National Testing Agency (NTA) reforms and the subsequent High-Powered Steering Committee (HPSC) tasked with monitoring implementation — stated that the reforms were designed to ensure 'transparent, smooth and fair conduct of examinations' by the NTA. The affidavit was filed pursuant to the court's 25 May direction asking him to apprise it of the implementation status.
The HLCE, constituted by the Union Ministry of Education in June 2024 following the NEET-UG controversy, held extensive consultations with state governments, police authorities, technology experts, academicians, student groups, and global testing agencies. It also received 37,144 responses from students, parents, guardians, and teachers through the MyGov portal.
The 101 Recommendations
The committee submitted its report on 21 October 2024, covering examination reforms, data security, institutional restructuring of the NTA, examination integrity, mental health support, and technological safeguards across short-term, medium-term, and long-term horizons. A High-Powered Steering Committee was subsequently constituted on 14 November 2024 to oversee implementation and has been monitoring progress through periodic reviews and presentations by NTA officials.
Key Reforms Already Operational
Among the measures already in place, state governments are now actively involved in the conduct of NEET-UG examinations through functional State-Level Coordination Committees (SLCCs) and District-Level Coordination Committees (DLCCs), which played a key role during both the NEET-UG 2025 and NEET-UG 2026 examinations. More than 99.5% of examination centres for NEET-UG 2026 were government institutions, with city coordinators drawn from government schools and Kendriya Vidyalayas.
On institutional strengthening, the government created 16 new senior-level posts within the NTA and deployed domain-specific experts from institutions including the IITs, the University Grants Commission (UGC), and Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS).
Technology and Security Upgrades
Aadhaar-based biometric authentication has been introduced for NEET-UG candidates as part of the first phase of the proposed DIGI-EXAM system. A multi-layer frisking mechanism has been put in place, CCTV surveillance has been expanded across examination centres, and mobile jammers have been installed to prevent electronic malpractice. Data analytics tools are now being used to identify suspicious patterns and anomalies in candidate responses, while the grievance redressal system is being enhanced through artificial intelligence and machine learning-based functionalities.
Transition to Computer-Based Testing
The expert committee has recommended a gradual transition of NEET-UG from pen-and-paper mode to a Computer-Based Testing (CBT) format, along with multi-session and multi-stage testing. The affidavit clarified, however, that such a shift would need to be implemented in consultation with the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, which is the nodal ministry for NEET-UG. Several long-term reforms — including educational testing research, information security upgrades, AI-based monitoring systems, and harmonisation of entrance examinations — are being rolled out in a phased manner.
The affidavit comes against the backdrop of petitions in the Supreme Court seeking sweeping reforms following the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak controversy. How swiftly the remaining recommendations are operationalised will be closely watched by students, parents, and the court alike.
Point of View
Not a completion certificate — and that distinction matters. Of the 101 recommendations, the ones easiest to implement (administrative committees, CCTV, biometrics) are done; the harder structural reforms, including the shift to computer-based testing, remain contingent on inter-ministerial coordination. The NEET-UG 2026 paper leak controversy, mentioned almost in passing, is the real reason the Supreme Court is watching. Operational reforms mean little if question-paper security — the original failure point — is not demonstrably fixed. The court will likely press for specifics on that front, not just a count of boxes ticked.
NationPress
2 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did K. Radhakrishnan tell the Supreme Court about NEET reforms?
Former ISRO Chairman K. Radhakrishnan informed the Supreme Court via affidavit that a majority of the 101 recommendations made by the High-Level Committee of Experts on NTA reforms have been implemented or are under active execution. The affidavit was filed in response to the court's 25 May direction seeking a status update.
What are the 101 NEET reform recommendations about?
The 101 recommendations, submitted on 21 October 2024, cover examination reforms, data security, institutional restructuring of the NTA, examination integrity, mental health support, and technological safeguards. They are categorised into short-term, medium-term, and long-term measures.
What security upgrades have been made to NEET-UG examinations?
Aadhaar-based biometric authentication has been introduced as part of the DIGI-EXAM system's first phase. Additional measures include multi-layer frisking, expanded CCTV surveillance, mobile jammers at centres, and AI and data analytics tools to detect suspicious response patterns.
Will NEET-UG move to computer-based testing?
The HLCE has recommended a gradual transition from pen-and-paper to Computer-Based Testing (CBT), along with multi-session and multi-stage formats. However, the affidavit clarified this requires consultation with the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the nodal ministry for NEET-UG.
Why is the Supreme Court monitoring NEET reform implementation?
The Supreme Court is overseeing NEET reform implementation following petitions demanding sweeping changes after the NEET-UG 2024 controversy and the subsequent NEET-UG 2026 paper leak controversy. The court directed Radhakrishnan on 25 May to report on the status of the panel's recommendations.
