SC says Nilekani-led task force recommendations will be key to online NEET decision

The Supreme Court on Monday said it would examine the recommendations of the Nandan Nilekani-led high-powered task force constituted by the Centre before deciding on issues related to conducting the NEET examination in an online mode.

A bench of Justices PS Narasimha and Alok Aradhe observed that moving the country's largest medical entrance examination from a pen-and-paper format to a computer-based test would require fresh safeguards.

"We need some additional safeguards with respect to cyber security, database protection," the bench said, adding that the transition would require "some out-of-the-box suggestions".


The observations came while the court was hearing a petition filed by RJD MP Sudhakar Singh following the cancellation of the May 3 NEET-UG examination over alleged paper leaks and the subsequent announcement of a re-test.

Appearing for the Centre, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told the court that the government had treated the issue with utmost seriousness and had constituted a high-level committee to recommend reforms.

According to Mehta, the task force was announced by the Prime Minister and is chaired by Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani, with members including former ISRO chairman S Somanath, former Intelligence Bureau director Tapan Deka, IIT Madras Director V Kamakoti, former Education Secretary Anita Karwal and logistics expert Amrit Lal Meena.

The bench posted Singh's petition for further hearing on August 3, saying it would first consider the recommendations submitted by the expert panel.

On June 1, the Supreme Court had declined an urgent hearing on Singh's plea seeking a re-test for NEET-UG 2026 in computer-based mode on June 21.

The National Testing Agency (NTA) cancelled the May 3 NEET-UG examination on May 12 following allegations of a paper leak. A re-test was subsequently held on June 21, while the CBI is continuing its investigation into the alleged irregularities.