A fresh petition has been filed before the Supreme Court of India seeking the immediate transition of the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET-UG) to a Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode, arguing that repeated paper leak controversies and alleged security failures have rendered the existing pen-and-paper system conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) structurally indefensible. The plea, filed under Article 32 of the Constitution, specifically demands that the re-test scheduled for 21 June 2026 be conducted in CBT mode rather than the current format.

Background: What Triggered the Petition

The petition was prompted by the cancellation of the NEET-UG 2026 examination, which was originally conducted on 3 May 2026 and subsequently scrapped by the NTA on 12 May 2026 following investigative inputs indicating compromise of examination integrity. The cancellation affected more than 22 lakh candidates. According to the plea, alleged 'guess papers' and leaked material were circulated on digital platforms including WhatsApp and Telegram before the examination.

The petition contends that the events surrounding NEET-UG 2026 are 'not isolated incidents' but form part of a continuing pattern of controversies linked to NTA-conducted examinations — citing alleged impersonation and proxy candidate networks in NEET 2021, remote-access software misuse in JEE-Main 2021, and paper leak allegations in NEET-UG 2024 that led to the cancellation of UGC-NET 2024.

The Core Argument Against Pen-and-Paper Format

The petition argues that the existing system is 'inherently vulnerable' owing to its dependence on physical logistics chains, strong rooms, transportation networks and third-party operational mechanisms, each of which creates multiple access points for unauthorised disclosure. It notes that despite recommendations made by the high-level committee headed 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, transportation and handling of confidential examination material.'

Notably, the plea points out that the Union government had already publicly announced that NEET-UG would transition to a fully CBT mode from 2027 — which, the petitioners argue, amounts to an acknowledgement that 'technological reform and secure digital examination architecture are necessary.' The petition contends that once authorities have accepted the inevitability of the transition, 'postponing implementation despite the events of NEET-UG 2026 lacks reasonable justification.'

What the Petitioners Are Demanding

The plea seeks a range of urgent directions from the apex court. On the immediate front, it prays for the 21 June 2026 re-test to be conducted in CBT mode. It also seeks a time-bound roadmap from the Centre for transitioning NEET-UG entirely to a computer-based framework, along with details of infrastructure development, cybersecurity mechanisms and candidate accessibility measures.

On structural reform, the petition seeks the replacement of the NTA with a 'new independent, transparent and professionally regulated National Examination Authority' equipped with statutory accountability, judicial oversight and advanced technological safeguards. It further calls for a high-level monitoring committee comprising retired Supreme Court judges, educationists, psychologists, cybersecurity experts, forensic scientists and administrative experts to recommend systemic changes.

The plea additionally demands implementation of encrypted digital paper transmission systems, biometric verification, AI-based surveillance and strict cybersecurity protocols across all national examinations. It also seeks fast-track criminal prosecution of individuals, coaching centres, middlemen and officials allegedly involved in examination leaks and organised cheating rackets.

CBI Accountability and Supreme Court Precedent

The petition seeks a direction to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to file a status report before the Supreme Court within four weeks, detailing arrests, charges and the progress of prosecution in the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak case.

The plea also invokes the Supreme Court's own observations in Vanshika Yadav vs Union of India (2024), in which the apex court stated: 'This indicates that there is a serious lapse in security and that security measures which are stringent and effective must be implemented by NTA.' The petition argues that those observations have not been acted upon, and that structural reform can no longer be deferred.

Who Filed the Petition

The petition has been filed by Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) Member of Parliament Sudhakar Singh, social activist Anubhav Garg, Dr Dhruv Chauhan — National Spokesperson of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) — and political leader Harisharan Devgan, through advocate Satyam Singh Rajput and advocate-on-record Neema, along with legal team members Muskan Singh and Adarsh Singh.

The Supreme Court is yet to list the petition for hearing. How the bench responds — particularly on the June 21 re-test timeline — will be closely watched by millions of medical aspirants across the country.