The National Testing Agency (NTA) on Friday (May 29, 2026) told the Supreme Court that its decision to cancel NEET-UG 2026 and hand over the investigation into the paper leak to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) ‘reflected the seriousness with which examination integrity was being treated’ by the agency and the Centre.
The agency filed an affidavit in the apex court over the corrective steps taken following NEET-UG paper leak. The affidavit was filed hours ahead of a hearing before a Bench headed by Justice P.S. Narasimha.
The NTA said the decision to cancel the examination was taken in the interest of students and in recognition of the trust underpinning the national examination system. It added that the agency was extending full cooperation to the CBI in the ongoing investigation.
According to the affidavit, the NTA has overhauled several aspects of the examination system, including question paper preparation, printing, transportation and storage protocols.
Among the key changes, the agency has introduced multiple sets of question papers, with one set retained as a backup. Instead of the conventional A, B, C and D series, the papers will now carry special lengthy codes, and the sequencing of answer options varies across different sets.
The affidavit said printing protocols have been tightened through verification, monitoring and security arrangements. A designated senior officer will oversee the entire printing process, and the use of electronic devices has now been prohibited. All CCTV recordings will also be preserved.
The NTA said transportation of question paper trunks is now being carried out through India Post (a government entity), with a chain-of-custody protocols. The papers will be escorted by Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) from the printing press to nodal hubs. India Post will then transport the papers to district custodians, and then District Police will take them to examination centres.
The NTA said it has also issued detailed guidelines for receipt and storage of question-paper trunks by custodian banks. The trunks shall be received by the Custodian in the exam city and kept in safe custody, the affidavit said, with access restricted to authorised personnel. They can only be opened in a designated strong room or control room 45 minutes before the commencement of the examination.
The affidavit further stated that Confidential Operations (CONOPs) guidelines have been operationalised. A dedicated area has been carved out in the office for confidential work, while question paper setters will be isolated in insulated rooms without internet or mobile access. The rooms will be self-contained with storage space and pantry. Any rough work generated during the process will be shredded and question papers are stored in encrypted manner on a master computer at the command centre. The cryptographic algorithms used for question delivery are also updated regularly.
The NTA informed the court that the re-examination scheduled for June 21 would be conducted under a strengthened standard operating procedure (SOP) framework incorporating multi-layer authentication, enhanced surveillance and inter-agency coordination.
Published - May 29, 2026 01:48 pm IST
court / judiciary (system of justice) / test/examination
Source: The Hindu - India News
