The Supreme Court on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, stressed that the National Testing Agency (NTA) must be transformed into a strong and permanent institution capable of conducting major entrance examinations securely and consistently.
A Bench of Justice PS Narasimha and Justice Alok Aradhe was hearing petitions concerning reforms in the NTA following the controversy surrounding the NEET-UG 2026 examination.
The Court made it clear that its concern was not limited to safeguards adopted for a particular examination. It wanted to know whether the NTA was developing the infrastructure, manpower, technology and institutional expertise necessary to handle examinations on a continuing basis.
Background of the Case
The proceedings arise from petitions including the one filed by the Federation of All India Medical Association seeking structural changes in the NTA. Other petitions have also sought reforms in the national examination system, including consideration of a computer-based testing model and stronger institutional oversight.
The Supreme Court has been examining the issue against the backdrop of recommendations made by the high-level committee headed by former ISRO Chairman Dr K. Radhakrishnan. The Nandan Nilekani Committee has also considered technology-driven reforms to strengthen examination security.
Centre Explains NTA’s Question Paper Security System
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta explained the safeguards currently followed by the NTA for preparing, printing, transporting and distributing question papers.
He submitted that multiple moderators prepare a large question bank, after which separate teams select questions and prepare different versions of the examination paper. The NTA Director General then selects the papers to be used.
The selected papers are sent to identified printing presses under sealed arrangements. The presses have CCTV surveillance and CISF monitoring. The question papers are later transported in secured containers through GPS-tracked vehicles and stored in bank strong rooms.
According to the Solicitor General, the boxes are opened only at the appropriate stage, with the process videographed. At examination centres, sealed packets are opened immediately before the examination.
Mehta described the existing system as “foolproof”, while acknowledging that human intervention could still create the possibility of a breach.
Supreme Court Says Safeguards Must Become Institutional
The Bench, however, focused on a broader issue.
Justice Narasimha said that simply putting procedures in place for one examination would not be enough unless the knowledge and expertise gained from those procedures remained within the institution.
“The biggest problem is that if you don't institutionalise, experienced persons get transferred. Then the whole experience goes,” the Judge observed.
He added that institutional knowledge should pass from senior officials to the next level instead of disappearing whenever personnel change.
The Court also questioned whether the NTA had adequate permanent premises, specialised officers, cybersecurity infrastructure, testing infrastructure and research and development capabilities.
Justice Narasimha referred to the Union Public Service Commission as an example of an examination body that has developed institutional memory through years of conducting examinations.
Questions Over Technology and Data Infrastructure
The Bench also examined the NTA’s digital preparedness.
Justice Narasimha asked whether the agency had a secure, sovereign database for examination-related information and where sensitive examination material would be stored.
When the Court was informed that the database was still “in contemplation”, the Bench stressed that secure storage and digital infrastructure were essential components of a modern examination system.
The Court also noted recommendations concerning advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence and blockchain, while emphasising that technology must form part of a broader institutional framework.
Court Directs Centre to File Affidavit
After hearing the submissions, the Supreme Court directed the concerned Secretary to file an affidavit detailing the steps taken to implement the recommendations of the Radhakrishnan Committee, as reflected and further developed by the Nandan Nilekani Committee.
The affidavit is also required to provide indicative timelines for implementation.
The Court recorded that its concern was the institutionalisation of the NTA with the necessary infrastructure, manpower and technological capabilities.
The matter has been directed to be listed after three weeks.
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