Fresh Plea in Supreme Court Seeks Replacement of NTA After NEET-UG 2026 Cancellation

A fresh legal challenge has reached the Supreme Court following the cancellation of the NEET-UG 2026 examination, with medical professionals’ body Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA) demanding that the National Testing Agency (NTA) be removed from conducting the country’s largest medical entrance examination. The petition also calls for a fresh test to be held under strict judicial supervision to restore public confidence in the examination process.

The plea comes amid growing outrage over allegations of a large-scale paper leak and irregularities linked to NEET-UG 2026, an exam attempted by nearly 23 lakh students aspiring to secure admission into undergraduate medical courses across India. The controversy has sparked anxiety among students, parents, and educators, many of whom have questioned the integrity and security of the examination system.

According to the petition filed before the apex court, FAIMA alleged that the NTA had failed to ensure a transparent and fair examination process. The organisation argued that repeated controversies surrounding national-level entrance examinations have severely damaged the credibility of the agency. It urged the court to consider appointing an independent authority or committee to conduct the examination instead of the NTA.

The petition further requested that the re-examination be carried out under the direct supervision of the judiciary. FAIMA suggested that either a sitting judge of the Supreme Court or a panel headed by a retired judge should oversee the entire process, including question paper security, examination logistics, and evaluation procedures. The association maintained that judicial monitoring would help ensure accountability and rebuild trust among students.

The cancellation of NEET-UG 2026 followed reports that portions of the question paper had allegedly been leaked before the examination was conducted. Soon after the allegations surfaced, demands for a probe intensified across several states. Investigating agencies later began examining claims of organised malpractice networks, with reports indicating that the matter has now been handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for a detailed inquiry.

The controversy has once again placed the spotlight on the functioning of the National Testing Agency, which is responsible for conducting several major entrance examinations in the country. Critics have argued that recurring allegations of paper leaks, technical glitches, and irregularities in different examinations have weakened public faith in the system. Student groups and education activists have also called for sweeping reforms to improve security measures and ensure transparency in future examinations.

Meanwhile, the Union government has attempted to reassure candidates affected by the cancellation. Officials have reportedly stated that students will not be required to submit fresh applications or pay additional fees once the new examination schedule is announced. Authorities are expected to finalise the date for the re-test after reviewing the progress of the ongoing investigation.

The uncertainty surrounding the examination has created emotional stress for lakhs of aspirants who had spent months preparing for the highly competitive test. Many students expressed concern over the delay in admissions and the possibility of academic disruptions if the issue remains unresolved for an extended period.

Legal experts believe the matter could become one of the most closely watched education-related cases in recent years, especially because it concerns the credibility of India’s national entrance examination system. The Supreme Court is expected to hear the plea in the coming days, with stakeholders closely monitoring whether the court will order further reforms or issue directions regarding the conduct of the fresh examination.