The Supreme Court said on Friday (September 18) it may visit the National Testing Agency’s (NTA) permanent office to examine whether the systems put in place to conduct examinations are actually functioning effectively. The decision comes while hearing multiple petitions linked to the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak. Justice PS Narasimha said the court could visit the NTA office in New Delhi to examine its systems, manpower and other arrangements. “We'll come and see whether the system is actually in place, whether it is working or not working, manpower, all these things,” he said, as reported by Bar and Bench. On NTA reforms, the court stressed that the committees' recommendations should not remain confined to reports and must be translated into the actual on-ground implementation. The Supreme Court instructed the Joint Secretary coordinating with the high-powered committee to submit an affidavit outlining the committee’s progress so far.<h3>NTA directs to file updated affidavit</h3>The NTA was also directed to file an updated affidavit outlining the reforms undertaken and progress achieved, and to publish this information on its website. The court further allowed lawyers and state governments to send in their suggestions via a designated email address, and said it would take up the matter once the updated affidavit is submitted. The bench also deliberated on the need to strengthen the NTA's institutional framework, including expanding its permanent staff strength. It observed that the agency must have sufficient manpower and effective coordination with other institutions, while also examining whether it needs statutory backing. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed the court that the high-powered committee, led by Nandan Nilekani, had held extensive consultations and was expected to submit its report by the end of September. The court reiterated that progress must go beyond recommendations and reports, insisting that expert suggestions ultimately translate into institutionalised reforms within the examination system.&nbsp;

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed the court that the high-powered committee, led by Nandan Nilekani, had held extensive consultations and was expected to submit its report by the end of September. 

The Supreme Court said on Friday (September 18) it may visit the National Testing Agency’s (NTA) permanent office to examine whether the systems put in place to conduct examinations are actually functioning effectively. The decision comes while hearing multiple petitions linked to the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak. Justice PS Narasimha said the court could visit the NTA office in New Delhi to examine its systems, manpower and other arrangements. “We'll come and see whether the system is actually in place, whether it is working or not working, manpower, all these things,” he said, as reported by Bar and Bench. On NTA reforms, the court stressed that the committees' recommendations should not remain confined to reports and must be translated into the actual on-ground implementation. The Supreme Court instructed the Joint Secretary coordinating with the high-powered committee to submit an affidavit outlining the committee’s progress so far. NTA directs to file updated affidavit The NTA was also directed to file an updated affidavit outlining the reforms undertaken and progress achieved, and to publish this information on its website. The court further allowed lawyers and state governments to send in their suggestions via a designated email address, and said it would take up the matter once the updated affidavit is submitted. The bench also deliberated on the need to strengthen the NTA's institutional framework, including expanding its permanent staff strength. It observed that the agency must have sufficient manpower and effective coordination with other institutions, while also examining whether it needs statutory backing. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed the court that the high-powered committee, led by Nandan Nilekani, had held extensive consultations and was expected to submit its report by the end of September. The court reiterated that progress must go beyond recommendations and reports, insisting that expert suggestions ultimately translate into institutionalised reforms within the examination system.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed the court that the high-powered committee, led by Nandan Nilekani, had held extensive consultations and was expected to submit its report by the end of September.&nbsp;

NEET-UG paper leak case: Supreme Court may visit NTA office, seeks report on Nandan Nilekani panel's progress

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has filed a chargesheet in the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak case before the Special CBI Court at Rouse Avenue, alleging that messaging platforms such as WhatsApp, Telegram, and an intrinsic digital network were used to leak the examination paper days before the test. According to the agency, forensic analysis of mobile phones seized during the investigation uncovered chats, PDF files, photographs of the question paper, and other digital evidence. Investigators said the electronic evidence helped reconstruct the chain of events through which confidential examination material allegedly moved from National Testing Agency (NTA) subject experts to intermediaries and eventually to candidates.&nbsp;The NEET UG examination was conducted on May 3 but was later cancelled following allegations of a paper leak. A re-examination was held on June 21. The controversy also had a tragic impact, with several students reportedly dying by suicide after the paper leak surfaced. NEET is among India's toughest competitive examinations and serves as the national-level entrance test for admission to undergraduate and postgraduate medical courses. The examination is conducted by the National Testing Agency.<h2>‘AP Broker’ contact and ‘NEET 2026’ WhatsApp group</h2>According to the CBI, the main accused, Yash Yadav, had PDF copies of the leaked NEET-UG 2026 question paper stored on his phone. Forensic analysis also revealed frequent communication on Telegram with a contact saved as "AP Broker," who was later identified as co-accused Shubham Madhukar Khairnar. Investigators also recovered similar digital evidence from the devices of other accused individuals. Among them was an alleged WhatsApp group titled 'NEET 2026', found on the phone of accused Manisha Sanjay Waghmare. The CBI alleges that the group formed part of the communication network used to circulate the leaked examination paper.&nbsp;The investigation indicates that the confidential question paper passed through multiple intermediaries, including subject experts, private brokers, and operators, before allegedly reaching students, rather than being leaked directly from NTA experts to candidates. Call detail records, mobile phone extraction reports, and forensic analysis of seized electronic devices reportedly corroborated witness statements and established communication links among the accused. The CBI further said that the electronic evidence matched the sequence of events described by witnesses during the investigation.<h2>Blank cheques and educational certificates used as security</h2>The investigation also revealed alleged financial arrangements linked to the paper leak. According to the CBI, blank signed cheques, original educational certificates, and other documents were exchanged as security to guarantee payments after the leaked paper was delivered. The agency has treated these recoveries as corroborative evidence supporting the alleged commercial conspiracy behind the examination paper leak.&nbsp;A total of 13 accused, including three NTA-appointed subject experts, have been chargesheeted under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Prevention of Corruption Act, and the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024. The CBI maintains that the electronic trail recovered during the investigation forms a crucial piece of evidence against the accused.

CBI chargesheet in the NEET UG 2026 paper leak case alleges WhatsApp and Telegram were used to leak the question paper. Digital evidence, forensic reports, PDFs, chats and 13 accused named

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has filed a chargesheet in the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak case before the Special CBI Court at Rouse Avenue, alleging that messaging platforms such as WhatsApp, Telegram, and an intrinsic digital network were used to leak the examination paper days before the test. According to the agency, forensic analysis of mobile phones seized during the investigation uncovered chats, PDF files, photographs of the question paper, and other digital evidence. Investigators said the electronic evidence helped reconstruct the chain of events through which confidential examination material allegedly moved from National Testing Agency (NTA) subject experts to intermediaries and eventually to candidates. The NEET UG examination was conducted on May 3 but was later cancelled following allegations of a paper leak. A re-examination was held on June 21. The controversy also had a tragic impact, with several students reportedly dying by suicide after the paper leak surfaced. NEET is among India's toughest competitive examinations and serves as the national-level entrance test for admission to undergraduate and postgraduate medical courses. The examination is conducted by the National Testing Agency. ‘AP Broker’ contact and ‘NEET 2026’ WhatsApp group According to the CBI, the main accused, Yash Yadav, had PDF copies of the leaked NEET-UG 2026 question paper stored on his phone. Forensic analysis also revealed frequent communication on Telegram with a contact saved as "AP Broker," who was later identified as co-accused Shubham Madhukar Khairnar. Investigators also recovered similar digital evidence from the devices of other accused individuals. Among them was an alleged WhatsApp group titled 'NEET 2026', found on the phone of accused Manisha Sanjay Waghmare. The CBI alleges that the group formed part of the communication network used to circulate the leaked examination paper. The investigation indicates that the confidential question paper passed through multiple intermediaries, including subject experts, private brokers, and operators, before allegedly reaching students, rather than being leaked directly from NTA experts to candidates. Call detail records, mobile phone extraction reports, and forensic analysis of seized electronic devices reportedly corroborated witness statements and established communication links among the accused. The CBI further said that the electronic evidence matched the sequence of events described by witnesses during the investigation. Blank cheques and educational certificates used as security The investigation also revealed alleged financial arrangements linked to the paper leak. According to the CBI, blank signed cheques, original educational certificates, and other documents were exchanged as security to guarantee payments after the leaked paper was delivered. The agency has treated these recoveries as corroborative evidence supporting the alleged commercial conspiracy behind the examination paper leak. A total of 13 accused, including three NTA-appointed subject experts, have been chargesheeted under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Prevention of Corruption Act, and the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024. The CBI maintains that the electronic trail recovered during the investigation forms a crucial piece of evidence against the accused.

CBI's NEET UG 2026 chargesheet alleges WhatsApp, Telegram, PDFs and digital chats were used to leak the exam paper. Forensic evidence, call records and seized devices reportedly link 13 accused

CBI reveals digital trail behind NEET UG 2026 paper leak through WhatsApp groups, Telegram chats and photos

With less than 24 hours to go before the NEET-UG 2026 re-examination, the National Testing Agency (NTA) has rolled out what it describes as a "comprehensive security framework" to ensure the integrity of the national entrance test. The move comes after the original May 3 exam was scrapped amid allegations of a coordinated paper leak that triggered nationwide outrage and forced a re-test for nearly 23 lakh aspirants.To test its preparedness, the NTA will conduct a nationwide mock drill today (Saturday, Jun 20), reviewing everything from question paper transportation to candidate verification and centre-level security protocols.The examination will be held in pen-and-paper mode from 2 pm to 5:15 pm across 551 cities in India and 14 cities abroad. More than 22.79 lakh candidates are expected to appear for the test.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/telegram-banned-in-india-nta-clarifies-restrictions-on-messenger-app-ahead-of-neet-2026-re-exam-1781587210607">Telegram banned in India? NTA clarifies restrictions on messenger app ahead of NEET 2026 re-exam</a><h2>What new safeguards have been introduced by NTA?</h2>The agency, as per reports, has introduced multiple layers of security aimed at preventing any repeat of the controversy that derailed the original examination.Confidential examination materials (question papers) are being transported in GPS-enabled vehicles under police escort, while examination centres have been equipped with CCTV surveillance and real-time monitoring systems. Aadhaar-based biometric authentication has also been made mandatory, although candidates facing technical issues or fingerprint mismatches will be allowed entry after manual verification.More than two lakh personnel, including observers, invigilators, district officials and police personnel, have been deployed across 551 Indian cities and 14 overseas centres.The NTA has also taken the unusual step of temporarily restricting access to Telegram in India until June 22, arguing that the platform was being misused by cheating networks to circulate fake question papers and create fabricated evidence of leaks.To ensure candidates' convenience, examination centres have been equipped with adequate drinking water, sanitation facilities, electricity backup, fans and medical support. Additional biometric devices and trained staff have also been deployed to streamline verification procedures.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/emergency-nature-of-situation-justified-telegram-ban-delhi-hc-upholds-app-restriction-till-june-22-ahead-of-neet-re-exam-1781846378059">Emergency nature of situation justified Telegram ban: Delhi HC upholds app restriction till June 22 ahead of NEET re-exam</a><h2>How are students and parents reacting?</h2>Student reactions remain mixed. Many aspirants have welcomed the stricter measures, particularly the crackdown on Telegram. Several students told ANI that stronger monitoring was necessary to protect candidates who had spent months preparing for the examination. &nbsp;"This is a good step, but the main focus should be on the root cause. Those who indulge in leaking examination papers should be identified," a Delhi-based aspirant told the news agency.Others, however, remain unconvinced. Some students argued that restricting a single platform would not eliminate malpractice, especially when leaked material can quickly migrate to other social media networks. "... Students work extremely hard to crack these exams... The government's ban on Telegram until exams end is right, as leaks spread fast online. Other such platforms could also be restricted for a limited time to stop paper leaks..." sn Indore based student said.A section of aspirants also pointed out that Telegram is widely used for legitimate study material and revision resources. "... Other social media platforms should also be monitored, with strict checks. The NTA should be aware of this. Simply banning Telegram won't help much, as many students use it for free study resources..." noted a student from Kota.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/cockroach-janta-party-heads-to-delhi-s-jantar-mantar-again-for-protest-dipke-asks-supporters-to-bring-thali-and-chamach-here-s-why-neet-leak-1781927757065">Cockroach Janta Party heads to Jantar Mantar again; Dipke asks supporters to bring 'thali' and 'chamach'. Here's why</a><h2>What logistical challenges remain?</h2>Despite the heightened security, managing nearly 23 lakh candidates remains a massive challenge. Authorities would need to coordinate secure paper delivery, biometric verification, crowd management and emergency response across thousands of centres.Candidates have been advised to reach centres early and verify locations through admit cards rather than relying solely on navigation apps.Meanwhile, a bizarre case of a NEET aspirant being allotted an examination centre in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, despite opting for Nagpur as his preferred test city, has also come to light.<h2>Will these measures restore trust?</h2>This remains the biggest question. Recently, India has seen a massive wave of student protests, partially triggered by a satirical movement known as the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP). The organisation launched by Abhijeet Dipke has already held protests that saw thousands take to the streets in Delhi, Pune, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Lucknow and Amritsar. The party, which has the resignation of Indian Education Minister Dharmendra Prasad among its primary demands, has scheduled another protest at Delhi's Jantar Mantar on Saturday (Jun 20) - the same day as the NEET re-examination nationwide mock drill. In an unusual request to his fellow 'cockroaches', <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/cockroach-janta-party-heads-to-delhi-s-jantar-mantar-again-for-protest-dipke-asks-supporters-to-bring-thali-and-chamach-here-s-why-neet-leak-1781927757065">Dipke has asked supporters to carry ‘thalis’ and ‘chamach’ to the gathering.</a>Meanwhile, on social media, a surge of posts and videos claim that another paper leak is underway. NTA Director General Abhishek Singh has dismissed the recent social media claims of another paper leak as "fake" and insisted that question papers remain secure.&nbsp;

With nearly 23 lakh candidates set to appear for the NEET-UG 2026 re-examination on June 21, the NTA has launched its most extensive security operation yet, including GPS-tracked question papers, biometric verification, CCTV monitoring and a Telegram ban. But can it restore students' trust?

With less than 24 hours to go before the NEET-UG 2026 re-examination, the National Testing Agency (NTA) has rolled out what it describes as a "comprehensive security framework" to ensure the integrity of the national entrance test. The move comes after the original May 3 exam was scrapped amid allegations of a coordinated paper leak that triggered nationwide outrage and forced a re-test for nearly 23 lakh aspirants. To test its preparedness, the NTA will conduct a nationwide mock drill today (Saturday, Jun 20), reviewing everything from question paper transportation to candidate verification and centre-level security protocols. The examination will be held in pen-and-paper mode from 2 pm to 5:15 pm across 551 cities in India and 14 cities abroad. More than 22.79 lakh candidates are expected to appear for the test. Also read | Telegram banned in India? NTA clarifies restrictions on messenger app ahead of NEET 2026 re-exam What new safeguards have been introduced by NTA? The agency, as per reports, has introduced multiple layers of security aimed at preventing any repeat of the controversy that derailed the original examination. Confidential examination materials (question papers) are being transported in GPS-enabled vehicles under police escort, while examination centres have been equipped with CCTV surveillance and real-time monitoring systems. Aadhaar-based biometric authentication has also been made mandatory, although candidates facing technical issues or fingerprint mismatches will be allowed entry after manual verification. More than two lakh personnel, including observers, invigilators, district officials and police personnel, have been deployed across 551 Indian cities and 14 overseas centres. The NTA has also taken the unusual step of temporarily restricting access to Telegram in India until June 22, arguing that the platform was being misused by cheating networks to circulate fake question papers and create fabricated evidence of leaks. To ensure candidates' convenience, examination centres have been equipped with adequate drinking water, sanitation facilities, electricity backup, fans and medical support. Additional biometric devices and trained staff have also been deployed to streamline verification procedures. Also read | Emergency nature of situation justified Telegram ban: Delhi HC upholds app restriction till June 22 ahead of NEET re-exam How are students and parents reacting? Student reactions remain mixed. Many aspirants have welcomed the stricter measures, particularly the crackdown on Telegram. Several students told ANI that stronger monitoring was necessary to protect candidates who had spent months preparing for the examination. "This is a good step, but the main focus should be on the root cause. Those who indulge in leaking examination papers should be identified," a Delhi-based aspirant told the news agency. Others, however, remain unconvinced. Some students argued that restricting a single platform would not eliminate malpractice, especially when leaked material can quickly migrate to other social media networks. "... Students work extremely hard to crack these exams... The government's ban on Telegram until exams end is right, as leaks spread fast online. Other such platforms could also be restricted for a limited time to stop paper leaks..." sn Indore based student said. A section of aspirants also pointed out that Telegram is widely used for legitimate study material and revision resources. "... Other social media platforms should also be monitored, with strict checks. The NTA should be aware of this. Simply banning Telegram won't help much, as many students use it for free study resources..." noted a student from Kota. Also read | Cockroach Janta Party heads to Jantar Mantar again; Dipke asks supporters to bring 'thali' and 'chamach'. Here's why What logistical challenges remain? Despite the heightened security, managing nearly 23 lakh candidates remains a massive challenge. Authorities would need to coordinate secure paper delivery, biometric verification, crowd management and emergency response across thousands of centres. Candidates have been advised to reach centres early and verify locations through admit cards rather than relying solely on navigation apps. Meanwhile, a bizarre case of a NEET aspirant being allotted an examination centre in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, despite opting for Nagpur as his preferred test city, has also come to light. Will these measures restore trust? This remains the biggest question. Recently, India has seen a massive wave of student protests, partially triggered by a satirical movement known as the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP). The organisation launched by Abhijeet Dipke has already held protests that saw thousands take to the streets in Delhi, Pune, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Lucknow and Amritsar. The party, which has the resignation of Indian Education Minister Dharmendra Prasad among its primary demands, has scheduled another protest at Delhi's Jantar Mantar on Saturday (Jun 20) - the same day as the NEET re-examination nationwide mock drill. In an unusual request to his fellow 'cockroaches', Dipke has asked supporters to carry ‘thalis’ and ‘chamach’ to the gathering. Meanwhile, on social media, a surge of posts and videos claim that another paper leak is underway. NTA Director General Abhishek Singh has dismissed the recent social media claims of another paper leak as "fake" and insisted that question papers remain secure.

With nearly 23 lakh candidates set to appear for the NEET-UG 2026 re-examination on June 21, the NTA has launched its most extensive security operation yet, including GPS-tracked question papers, biometric verification, CCTV monitoring and a Telegram ban. But can it restore students' trust?

NEET 2026 re-exam: NTA conducts nationwide mock drills, highlights new safeguards. Can it restore students' trust? | WION Decodes

Days after the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak exposed the fragility of the examination process, the National Testing Agency (NTA) is working to redesign the fundamental process of creating the question papers. Under the new proposal, the NTA has decided to ensure that subject experts remain unaware of the question papers they will set for the next year's exam, whether NEET, JEE or any other examination conducted by this body. A central part of the reform is separating question paper preparation from specific examinations altogether and adopting what officials call a “zero-trust architecture,” where reliance is placed on secure processes rather than individuals. The proposal comes in the wake of the CBI’s investigation into the NEET-UG 2026 leak, which has led to the arrest of 13 people so far, including translators and subject experts accused of leaking portions of the question paper. According to a report by The Indian Express last week, the arrests suggest that the breach may have occurred during the initial phase of the Confidential Operations (CONOPs), the tightly controlled paper-setting and translation mechanism introduced after the 2024 NEET controversy. The involvement of translators allegedly connected to the Physics, Chemistry and Biology sections has prompted authorities to reassess the long-held belief that trusted experts can be granted access to entire sections of an examination paper without compromising security. “If the paper is compromised, then it is not a pen-and-paper problem. It is a problem of system design and structure,” a senior government official said. “We are trying to reduce the human interface. There has to be a zero-trust architecture.”&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/prakash-raj-extends-support-to-cockroach-janta-party-as-they-protest-in-delhi-cockroaches-rocked-1780810156832">Prakash Raj extends support to Cockroach Janta Party as they protest in Delhi: ‘Cockroaches rocked’</a><h3>Alteration of subject specialists</h3>Officials indicated that the proposed system would fundamentally alter the role of subject specialists. Rather than being asked to prepare questions for a specific examination, experts would submit questions to a centralised question bank without knowing which of those questions would ultimately be used. “The domain expert should be examination-agnostic. He should not know whether the question is being set for NEET, JEE or any other examination. The objective is to ensure that no single individual has visibility of the final paper,” the official said. The agency is considering the development of a large repository containing thousands of subject-wise questions, officials said. Examination papers would then be generated from this pool through technology-driven mechanisms aimed at ensuring an appropriate balance of topics and maintaining consistent difficulty levels. “We can have a bank of 10,000 questions. The final paper can be built on that bank. Technology can help determine difficulty levels and question distribution. The idea is to minimise the number of eyes through which the paper passes,” the official said. Translation procedures, which came under the spotlight after arrests linked to the 2026 paper leak case, are also expected to see major reforms. The proposed changes build on assurances previously given by the National Testing Agency (NTA) to the Supreme Court. In an earlier affidavit, the agency stated that it intended to deploy artificial intelligence for nearly 85 per cent of the translation work, while human experts would be responsible for reviewing and validating the remaining portion.

A central part of the reform is separating question paper preparation from specific examinations altogether and adopting what officials call a “zero-trust architecture,” where reliance is placed on secure processes rather than individuals.

Days after the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak exposed the fragility of the examination process, the National Testing Agency (NTA) is working to redesign the fundamental process of creating the question papers. Under the new proposal, the NTA has decided to ensure that subject experts remain unaware of the question papers they will set for the next year's exam, whether NEET, JEE or any other examination conducted by this body. A central part of the reform is separating question paper preparation from specific examinations altogether and adopting what officials call a “zero-trust architecture,” where reliance is placed on secure processes rather than individuals. The proposal comes in the wake of the CBI’s investigation into the NEET-UG 2026 leak, which has led to the arrest of 13 people so far, including translators and subject experts accused of leaking portions of the question paper. According to a report by The Indian Express last week, the arrests suggest that the breach may have occurred during the initial phase of the Confidential Operations (CONOPs), the tightly controlled paper-setting and translation mechanism introduced after the 2024 NEET controversy. The involvement of translators allegedly connected to the Physics, Chemistry and Biology sections has prompted authorities to reassess the long-held belief that trusted experts can be granted access to entire sections of an examination paper without compromising security. “If the paper is compromised, then it is not a pen-and-paper problem. It is a problem of system design and structure,” a senior government official said. “We are trying to reduce the human interface. There has to be a zero-trust architecture.” Also read: Prakash Raj extends support to Cockroach Janta Party as they protest in Delhi: ‘Cockroaches rocked’ Alteration of subject specialists Officials indicated that the proposed system would fundamentally alter the role of subject specialists. Rather than being asked to prepare questions for a specific examination, experts would submit questions to a centralised question bank without knowing which of those questions would ultimately be used. “The domain expert should be examination-agnostic. He should not know whether the question is being set for NEET, JEE or any other examination. The objective is to ensure that no single individual has visibility of the final paper,” the official said. The agency is considering the development of a large repository containing thousands of subject-wise questions, officials said. Examination papers would then be generated from this pool through technology-driven mechanisms aimed at ensuring an appropriate balance of topics and maintaining consistent difficulty levels. “We can have a bank of 10,000 questions. The final paper can be built on that bank. Technology can help determine difficulty levels and question distribution. The idea is to minimise the number of eyes through which the paper passes,” the official said. Translation procedures, which came under the spotlight after arrests linked to the 2026 paper leak case, are also expected to see major reforms. The proposed changes build on assurances previously given by the National Testing Agency (NTA) to the Supreme Court. In an earlier affidavit, the agency stated that it intended to deploy artificial intelligence for nearly 85 per cent of the translation work, while human experts would be responsible for reviewing and validating the remaining portion.

A central part of the reform is separating question paper preparation from specific examinations altogether and adopting what officials call a “zero-trust architecture,” where reliance is placed on secure processes rather than individuals.

After NEET-UG 2026 leak, NTA plans ‘zero-trust’ system to overhaul question paper setting: What does it mean?

The National Testing Agency (NTA) announced that candidates whose Common University Entrance Test (CUET-UG) 2026 was disrupted by technical issues on Saturday (May 30) will be given another opportunity to appear for the examination. This comes after students faced disruptions at some centres during the first shift due to technical problems, reportedly linked to service provider Tata Consultancy Services (TCS).“Earlier today, some centres faced a technical glitch that delayed the start of Shift 1. We know this was stressful, and we're sorry for the anxiety it caused. The technical service provider, TCS iON, has been asked to conduct a root-cause analysis and submit its report immediately,” the NTA said in a statement on X.It added, “Most candidates (about 95%) were able to complete their exam once it resumed. We understand that 3,765 candidates who were present and had completed biometric registration chose to leave before the exam could restart.”“For these candidates, NTA will hold a rescheduled examination as a one-time measure. The new date and details will be announced separately,” the agency said.In a statement on X, TCS CEO and MD K Krithivasan said, “A brief technical issue caused a delay of around two hours in the CUET-UG examination in the morning shift today.”He added, “The issue was promptly identified and resolved by our technical teams and the examination has since resumed without any impact to the sanctity of the exam. We regret the inconvenience. Our teams are actively monitoring all systems. We remain committed to working closely with NTA to ensure seamless conduct of the Computer based tests.”Meanwhile, Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi criticised the Centre, arguing that recurring problems in examinations such as NEET, CBSE, SSC, and now CUET reflect serious shortcomings in the education system. In a post on X, he accused the government of failing to conduct large-scale examinations fairly and efficiently, saying that millions of students have been affected by these controversies.“NEET. CBSE. SSC. And today, CUET. Four exams. One crore children. Not a single one conducted with honesty,” Gandhi wrote on X. “Claims of ‘world guru,’ but can’t conduct even one exam in the country - Modi ji has completely ruined the entire education system. The generation whose future you are destroying - that same generation will hold you accountable.”Earlier in the day, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal slammed Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi over disruptions in the Common University Entrance Test (CUET-UG) 2026.In a post on X, Kejriwal wrote, “The country needs an educated PM.” He was responding to a post by AAP leader Atishi highlighting difficulties faced by students at an examination centre in Uttar Pradesh’s Varanasi.“CUET exam centre visuals from Varanasi. Students being told that the server is not functioning,” she wrote while sharing a video from an exam centre.

NTA will conduct a fresh CUET-UG 2026 exam for over 3,700 candidates affected by a technical glitch. The disruption sparked political criticism, with Rahul Gandhi and Arvind Kejriwal targeting the Centre.

The National Testing Agency (NTA) announced that candidates whose Common University Entrance Test (CUET-UG) 2026 was disrupted by technical issues on Saturday (May 30) will be given another opportunity to appear for the examination. This comes after students faced disruptions at some centres during the first shift due to technical problems, reportedly linked to service provider Tata Consultancy Services (TCS). “Earlier today, some centres faced a technical glitch that delayed the start of Shift 1. We know this was stressful, and we're sorry for the anxiety it caused. The technical service provider, TCS iON, has been asked to conduct a root-cause analysis and submit its report immediately,” the NTA said in a statement on X. It added, “Most candidates (about 95%) were able to complete their exam once it resumed. We understand that 3,765 candidates who were present and had completed biometric registration chose to leave before the exam could restart.” “For these candidates, NTA will hold a rescheduled examination as a one-time measure. The new date and details will be announced separately,” the agency said. In a statement on X, TCS CEO and MD K Krithivasan said, “A brief technical issue caused a delay of around two hours in the CUET-UG examination in the morning shift today.” He added, “The issue was promptly identified and resolved by our technical teams and the examination has since resumed without any impact to the sanctity of the exam. We regret the inconvenience. Our teams are actively monitoring all systems. We remain committed to working closely with NTA to ensure seamless conduct of the Computer based tests.” Meanwhile, Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi criticised the Centre, arguing that recurring problems in examinations such as NEET, CBSE, SSC, and now CUET reflect serious shortcomings in the education system. In a post on X, he accused the government of failing to conduct large-scale examinations fairly and efficiently, saying that millions of students have been affected by these controversies. “NEET. CBSE. SSC. And today, CUET. Four exams. One crore children. Not a single one conducted with honesty,” Gandhi wrote on X. “Claims of ‘world guru,’ but can’t conduct even one exam in the country - Modi ji has completely ruined the entire education system. The generation whose future you are destroying - that same generation will hold you accountable.” Earlier in the day, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal slammed Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi over disruptions in the Common University Entrance Test (CUET-UG) 2026. In a post on X, Kejriwal wrote, “The country needs an educated PM.” He was responding to a post by AAP leader Atishi highlighting difficulties faced by students at an examination centre in Uttar Pradesh’s Varanasi. “CUET exam centre visuals from Varanasi. Students being told that the server is not functioning,” she wrote while sharing a video from an exam centre.

NTA will conduct a fresh CUET-UG 2026 exam for over 3,700 candidates affected by a technical glitch. The disruption sparked political criticism, with Rahul Gandhi and Arvind Kejriwal targeting the Centre.

CUET-UG 2026: NTA to conduct fresh exam for students who faced glitches, to announce dates

In an affidavit submitted to the Indian Supreme Court on Wednesday (July 10), the central government stated that there was no "mass malpractice" in the 2024 NEET-UG examination.

In an affidavit submitted to the Indian Supreme Court on Wednesday (July 10), the central government stated that there was no "mass malpractice" in the 2024 NEET-UG examination. The Centre claims that an analysis of the data carried out by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras shows no proof of widespread misconduct or any kind of unfair advantage for a certain set of candidates, which may lead to unusual scores. Counselling will begin in four rounds in the third week of July, the government said. It added that any applicant who is discovered to have benefitted from malpractice will have their candidacy terminated at any time during or after the counselling process. #BREAKING Centre files affidavit in the #SupremeCourt denying any "mass malpractice" in the NEET-UG 24 exam. Centre says the data anayltics done by experts at IIT Madras showed no abnormality in the exam.#NEETUG24 #SupremeCourt pic.twitter.com/y6fpXG52Ls — Live Law (@LiveLawIndia) July 10, 2024 × "The marks distribution follows the bell-shaped curve that is witnessed in any large-scale examination indicating no abnormality," the IIT Madras report said. "City-wise and center-wise analysis was done for 2 years (2023 and 2024) to find out if there are any abnormal indications. The Analysis is carried out for the Top 1.4 lakh ranks given that the total number of seats across the country is around 1.1 lakhs," it added. "The analysis shows that there is neither any indication of mass malpractice nor a localised set of candidates being benefitted leading to abnormal scores," the report said. Also read: Pune trainee IAS, who used siren on private car, claimed visual, mental disability; later dodged medical exams "There is an overall increase in the marks obtained by students, specifically in the range of 550 to 720. This increase is seen across the cities and centres. This is attributed to a 25% reduction in syllabus. In addition, candidates obtaining such high marks are spread across multiple cities and multiple centres, indicating very less likelihood of malpractice," it further added. On Monday (Jul 8), the Supreme Court reviewed multiple petitions concerning the contentious NEET-UG 2024 medical entrance exam. The petitions included allegations of paper leakage and other malpractices during the May 5 test, with calls for the exam to be conducted anew. The apex court had requested reports from the NTA and the Centre detailing the steps taken as well as any potential ideas on using data analytics in the cyber forensics unit or any other government-employed unit to find suspect cases. (With inputs from agencies)

India: No 'mass malpractice' in 2024 NEET-UG exam, government tells Supreme Court

Twenty-four students scored a perfect 100 in the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main for admission into engineering colleges, the results of which were announced by the HRD Ministry's National Testing Agency (NTA) Monday.

While four top scorers are from Rajasthan and Telangana each, three are from Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh have two top scorers each.&nbsp;

The remaining top scorers are from Delhi, Karnataka, Haryana and Punjab.

For the first time, the JEE-Main was conducted two times this year in January and April in online mode.&nbsp;

"For those candidates who appeared in both January and April examinations, their best score of the two attempts, has been accounted for. Out of 6.8 lakh candidates appearing in both the attempts, 2.97 lakh candidates have improved their performance," a senior official said.

"The ranks of the candidates have also been decided taking into account better of the two NTA scores," the official added.

The examination is conducted for admission to engineering colleges across the country. Those clearing the JEE-Main are also eligible for appearing for JEE-Advanced for admission to the prestigious Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs).&nbsp;

Twenty-four students scored a perfect 100 in the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main for admission into engineering colleges, the results of which were announced by the HRD Ministry's National Testing Agency (NTA) Monday.

Twenty-four students scored a perfect 100 in the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main for admission into engineering colleges, the results of which were announced by the HRD Ministry's National Testing Agency (NTA) Monday. While four top scorers are from Rajasthan and Telangana each, three are from Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh have two top scorers each. The remaining top scorers are from Delhi, Karnataka, Haryana and Punjab. For the first time, the JEE-Main was conducted two times this year in January and April in online mode. "For those candidates who appeared in both January and April examinations, their best score of the two attempts, has been accounted for. Out of 6.8 lakh candidates appearing in both the attempts, 2.97 lakh candidates have improved their performance," a senior official said. "The ranks of the candidates have also been decided taking into account better of the two NTA scores," the official added. The examination is conducted for admission to engineering colleges across the country. Those clearing the JEE-Main are also eligible for appearing for JEE-Advanced for admission to the prestigious Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs).

24 students score perfect 100 in JEE-Main