The Supreme Court on Friday heard petitions related to the NEET paper leak case and told the Centre that it would closely monitor the steps being taken to prevent future leaks. The Court observed that relying on temporary (ad hoc) arrangements for years had created problems and stressed the need for a permanent and well-structured examination system.
A Bench of Justice PS Narasimha and Justice Alok Aradhe was hearing several petitions in the matter, including one filed by the Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA).
During the hearing, the Bench asked the Centre to explain the measures taken to improve transparency in the examination process, implement the recommendations of the Radhakrishnan Committee, and adopt the IIT model for conducting exams.
Centre: Students’ future cannot be put at risk
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told the Court that the government would soon file a detailed report. He said the future of students could not be put at risk and that the government was implementing measures beyond the recommendations of the Radhakrishnan Committee.
“The government is doing much more than expected. Every aspect is being monitored at the highest level,” Mehta said.
He also pointed out that a similar issue had come before the Court two years ago, when the government had explained the entire process, from printing question papers to their transportation.
Court: Permanent mechanism is necessary
The Bench noted that the Indian Air Force had been used to transport question papers for the NEET-UG re-test, but said such measures were only temporary.
Justice Narasimha remarked, “Ad hoc arrangements have troubled us for years. The Court will ensure that the examination process is transformed into a permanent and well-structured system.”
Meanwhile, appearing for FAIMA, advocate Tanvi Dubey sought a detailed blueprint of the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) that the National Testing Agency (NTA) plans to adopt for the Computer-Based Test (CBT) model proposed for NEET-UG from next year. The complete details of the blueprint have not yet been made public.
