Digvijaya Singh Demands White Paper on NTA Exam Leaks Amid NEET UG Controversy

Digvijaya Singh Urges PM Modi to Release White Paper on NTA Exam Leaks, Irregularities

Senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking the release of a white paper on alleged paper leaks and examination irregularities in tests conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA), arguing that greater transparency is needed to restore confidence among students.

The demand comes amid the fallout from the cancellation of NEET-UG 2026, which has left lakhs of aspirants facing uncertainty and renewed concerns over the integrity of India’s examination system. In his letter to the Prime Minister, Singh said students have repeatedly expressed concerns about the lack of information regarding investigations into previous paper leak cases and alleged irregularities.

“At a time when the cancellation of the NEET-UG 2026 examination has wreaked havoc on the mental health of lakhs of students, one critical stressor for them has been the lack of clarity on how previous paper leaks and related cases have been investigated,” he wrote.

The Congress leader, who chairs the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education, Women, Children, Youth and Sports, said the absence of a comprehensive public record detailing such cases has created confusion and speculation among students and their families.

Calls for Detailed Public Record

According to Singh, there is currently no consolidated document outlining instances of paper leaks, the progress of investigations, arrests made, or the legal status of accused persons in cases linked to NTA examinations. He argued that this information gap has allowed rumours and conflicting reports to dominate public discourse.

Referring to recent controversies, Singh highlighted reports claiming that Sanjeev Kumar alias Mukhiya, considered a key accused in the NEET-UG 2024 paper leak case in Hazaribagh, is out on bail. He also cited reports that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) filed a closure report in the UGC-NET 2024 case, concluding that no irregularities had taken place despite the examination’s earlier cancellation by the NTA.

Singh further noted that a Delhi court had sought a written explanation from the CBI regarding its closure report, while the agency reportedly requested more time to respond. According to him, such developments have only deepened concerns among students seeking clarity on the status of major investigations.

What Singh Wants in the White Paper

The Rajya Sabha MP proposed that the government publish a detailed white paper covering all reported cases of paper leaks and examination irregularities in NTA-conducted exams over the last eight years. He said the document should include details of every investigation conducted by the NTA, the CBI and other central or state agencies, along with information on arrests made and action taken against those involved.

Singh also recommended that the government provide updates on whether investigations are ongoing or complete, and whether chargesheets or closure reports have been filed in each case. In addition, he suggested that authorities disclose the reasons behind any closure reports and provide the current legal status of accused individuals, including whether they are on bail, facing trial or have been convicted.

“To inspire renewed confidence in the administration’s ability and willingness to deliver justice to India’s students, I therefore propose that the Government of India issue a white paper documenting the list of instances of paper leaks and/or irregularities which have occurred in NTA-conducted examinations in the last eight years,” Singh said.

‘Need to Rebuild Students’ Trust’

Emphasising the pressure faced by students preparing for competitive examinations, Singh said transparency would serve as an important confidence-building measure. “At a time when lakhs of students are under heavy pressure, it is critical that we reinforce their faith in the system. Such transparency will act as a confidence-building measure among our youth,” he wrote.

The letter comes as the CBI continues its investigation into the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak. The examination, originally conducted on May 3, was cancelled on May 12 following allegations of a breach. A fresh examination is scheduled to be held on June 21.

With concerns over examination security once again in focus, Singh’s demand adds to calls for greater accountability and transparency in the conduct of national-level entrance tests.