Supreme Court Questions Centre Over NEET Paper Leak; NTA Decries Repeated Lapses

The Supreme Court on Tuesday summoned the Union Health Ministry and the National Testing Agency (NTA) for a detailed response after a fresh leak of the NEET 2024 question paper surfaced online. The leak, which appeared on social media platforms just hours after the exam commenced, sent shockwaves through aspiring medical students and their families.

Justice B.R. Gavai, heading the bench, asked the Centre to "clarify the circumstances that led to the breach" and to present a concrete action plan to plug the security loopholes. He reminded the respondents that the integrity of India’s most critical medical entrance exam cannot be compromised, especially when lives and careers hang in the balance.

In a statement released shortly after the hearing, the NTA expressed deep disappointment. "It is sad that despite several directions from the apex court, the same mistake keeps recurring," the agency said, adding that the leaked paper was traced back to a senior official who allegedly shared it with a third‑party conduit.

Meanwhile, the Health Ministry, through a spokesperson, said it was "actively investigating" the matter and would submit a comprehensive report within the week. The ministry also promised to review the existing examination‑conduct protocols, including the use of encrypted digital servers and the chain‑of‑custody procedures for question papers.

Legal experts observing the case note that this isn’t the first time the judiciary has had to intervene. In 2020, the Supreme Court issued a series of guidelines after a similar breach, urging stricter encryption and real‑time monitoring. Yet, the current episode suggests those safeguards have not been fully implemented.

Students across the country reacted with a mix of anger and anxiety. “We studied for months, and now this… it feels like our hard work is being tossed aside,” said Ananya Sharma, a 17‑year‑old aspirant from Delhi. Her sentiment echoes that of many who fear that repeated leaks could erode public trust in the merit‑based system.

While the court’s next steps remain to be seen, the NTA has pledged to cooperate fully and to “re‑evaluate every link in the examination chain.” The hope, many say, is that this could finally be the turning point that restores confidence in India’s most coveted medical entrance test.