NEET-UG Exam Reforms: Centre to implement expert panel's recommendations

NEET-UG Exam Reforms: Centre to implement expert panel's recommendations

The Central Government informed the Supreme Court on Thursday that it will adopt the corrective measures recommended by a seven-member expert panel to improve the National Testing Agency's (NTA) functioning following concerns raised during the NEET-UG 2024 examination.

The Supreme Court, in a ruling on August 2, 2024, declined to annul the NEET-UG exam despite controversies surrounding it, stating there was insufficient evidence to suggest a systemic leak or malpractice that compromised its integrity. However, the court broadened the mandate of the expert panel, led by former ISRO chief K Radhakrishnan, to review the NTA's operations and propose measures to ensure transparency and security in the NEET-UG examination process.

On Thursday, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Centre, informed a bench of Justices PS Narasimha and Manoj Misra that the panel had submitted its report. The government assured the court that all recommendations would be implemented. “We are going to implement all the recommendations, and the matter can be revisited in six months,” Mehta said.

The bench adjourned the case for three months, scheduling the next hearing for April. The complete report has not been made public, as it includes sensitive information about the printing and handling of exam papers.

The court had previously extended the time for the panel to file its report on October 21, 2024. The committee was tasked with addressing concerns such as security lapses at exam centers, unauthorized access to question papers, and logistical issues like transporting papers via e-rickshaws and distributing incorrect question sets.

The expert panel comprises K Radhakrishnan, Randeep Guleria, B J Rao, Ramamurthy K, Pankaj Bansal, Aditya Mittal, and Govind Jaiswal. Its expanded responsibilities include enhancing exam security, technological improvements, data security, stakeholder engagement, international collaboration, mental health support for students, and training NTA staff.

The NEET-UG, conducted by the NTA, is a crucial entrance examination for undergraduate medical programs in India. Over 23 lakh students appeared for NEET-UG 2024 to secure admissions in MBBS, BDS, AYUSH, and related courses.

The Supreme Court had earlier highlighted lapses in NTA’s operations, such as a security breach at a center in Jharkhand’s Hazaribagh, where unauthorized access to question papers occurred. These incidents underscored the need for robust reforms to ensure the integrity of the examination.

In November 2024, the court dismissed a petition seeking a review of its August verdict, which rejected calls for a fresh NEET-UG 2024 examination. The government's decision to implement the panel's recommendations aims to strengthen the exam process and address stakeholders' concerns effectively.