The Supreme Court on Friday directed the Centre to file a response on how to strengthen the National Testing Agency (NTA) and to make the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) fool-proof. The apex court emphasized that all efforts should be made by the government and all concerned authorities to prevent the leakage of question papers for the medical entrance exam. It further stated that responsibility must be fixed if such an incident occurs again.
Petition Filed by Medical Associations
This development comes after the All India Medical Association and the United Doctors Front filed a petition in the top court, accusing the NTA of failing to protect the integrity of one of India's largest and most competitive examinations. The petitioners highlighted the need for robust measures to ensure the credibility of the exam process.
Strong Observations by the Apex Court
Earlier, the Supreme Court made strong observations against the testing agency, remarking that it was "sad that NTA has not learned lessons from the earlier NEET paper leak." The court expressed concern over the recurring issues and stressed the importance of implementing fool-proof mechanisms to prevent future breaches.
The court's directive underscores the urgency of addressing vulnerabilities in the examination system. The Centre is expected to submit a comprehensive plan detailing steps to strengthen the NTA and safeguard the integrity of NEET. This includes measures such as enhanced security protocols, digital surveillance, and stricter accountability for officials involved in the exam process.
