Parliament Panel to Examine NEET-UG Leak Probe, NTA Reforms and CBSE Evaluation Process
The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education, Women, Children, Youth and Sports is set to hold a series of meetings on June 1 and 2 to review the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak case, examination reforms, CBSE’s evaluation system and the implementation of the three-language policy in schools.
The discussions come at a time when the National Testing Agency (NTA) and the country’s examination framework remain under scrutiny following the alleged leak of the NEET-UG 2026 question paper.
On June 1, the committee will interact with the Secretary of Higher Education, the Secretary of the Ministry of Health, NTA Director General Abhishek Singh and representatives from stakeholders, including the United Doctors Front. Members are expected to seek details on the ongoing investigation into the NEET-UG paper leak and review measures being taken to strengthen the conduct and security of national-level examinations.
The meeting follows deliberations held on May 29, during which lawmakers stressed the need to preserve the credibility of the NEET examination system and close gaps that may have enabled malpractice.
During that review, the Committee on Government Assurances, chaired by AIADMK MP M Thambidurai, heard presentations from Higher Education Secretary Vineet Joshi, CBI Director Praveen Sood, NTA officials, Health Ministry representatives and the National Medical Commission.
Members sought updates on the probe into the leak of the NEET-UG 2026 examination, which was subsequently cancelled and rescheduled for June 21. Sources said NTA officials informed the panel that the leaked paper did not originate from the agency’s systems and that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) was continuing its efforts to identify the source of the breach.
Lawmakers also underlined the importance of ensuring that the medical admission process remains unaffected and that counselling for MBBS seats proceeds according to schedule.
A key focus of the discussions is expected to be the implementation of recommendations made by the high-level committee headed by former ISRO Chairman Dr K. Radhakrishnan. The panel was constituted after the NEET-UG 2024 controversy to suggest reforms related to examination security, data protection and the functioning of the NTA.
According to officials, nearly three-fourths of the committee’s recommendations have already been implemented. Members were also informed that the NTA is facing staff shortages, with around 25 per cent of posts lying vacant, and that recruitment efforts are underway to strengthen the agency.
The parliamentary panel is also expected to review preparations for the proposed transition of NEET-UG to a computer-based examination format from next year, including infrastructure readiness and operational challenges.
On June 2, attention will shift to school education issues as the committee meets the Secretary of School Education and the Chairman of the CBSE.
Members are expected to assess the effectiveness of the On-Screen Marking (OSM) system used for evaluating Class 12 board examination answer sheets. Concerns raised by students regarding the evaluation process and its impact on results are likely to be discussed in detail.
The panel will also seek clarifications on the implementation of the three-language policy in Classes 9 and 10, including the framework being adopted by states and educational institutions.
Meanwhile, the CBI has intensified its investigation into the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak case. So far, 13 people have been arrested, including a doctor from Maharashtra’s Latur and a faculty member associated with a coaching institute in Pune.
The upcoming meetings are expected to provide lawmakers with a comprehensive update on the leak investigation, the status of NTA reforms and efforts to improve transparency and accountability in India’s examination system.
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