The Supreme Court on Monday (27 July) took up a petition seeking that the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET-UG) be conducted in a computer-based mode instead of the existing pen-and-paper format. During the hearing, the Central Government informed the Court that it has already constituted a high-level expert committee headed by Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani to recommend reforms for conducting competitive examinations following the recent NEET paper leak controversy.
A Bench of Justice P.S. Narasimha and Justice Alok Aradhe directed that the petition be heard along with other pending matters concerning reforms in the functioning of the National Testing Agency (NTA).
Background of the Case
The petition was filed by RJD MP Sudhakar Singh, seeking directions to conduct NEET-UG through a Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode. The plea argues that the existing pen-and-paper system has repeatedly faced security concerns and that adopting a digital examination process would strengthen fairness and transparency.
The petition was filed after the Union Government and the National Testing Agency cancelled NEET-UG 2026, which had been held on May 3, 2026, following allegations that the integrity of the examination had been compromised.
According to the petitioner, more than 22 lakh medical aspirants are affected by the examination process each year, making secure and reliable conduct of the test a matter of national importance.
Centre Informs Court About Expert Committee
Appearing for the Centre, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed the Bench that the Government has taken the issue seriously and has already constituted a high-level committee to examine reforms in competitive examinations.
He submitted,
"It is my duty to point out that the Central Government has taken a very serious view and a high-level committee has been constituted."
The committee is chaired by Nandan Nilekani and includes former ISRO Chairman S. Somanath, former Intelligence Bureau Director Tapan Deka, IIT Madras Director V. Kamakoti, former Union Education Secretary Anita Karwal, and logistics expert Amrit Lal Meena.
Court Examines Challenges of Moving NEET Online
While considering the request for a computer-based examination, the Bench observed that shifting from an offline examination to an online system would require safeguards beyond merely changing the mode of the test.
The Court asked,
"When the transition occurs from physical conduct to online, what additional safeguards need to be taken? How will the database be secured?"
Responding to the concern, the Solicitor General said,
"That is why we have Mr. Nilekani. He is an expert on the subject."
Justice Narasimha also noted that protecting examination data after it is stored would remain an equally important concern. The Bench observed that data storage is also an issue that would require adequate safeguards if the examination process is digitised.
Petition Raises Important Issues
During the hearing, the Court noted that although several petitions on similar issues had not been entertained, the present petition raised significant questions deserving consideration.
Justice Narasimha observed,
"There are many petitions we have not entertained, but in this one certain good issues have been raised."
Solicitor General Mehta submitted that similar petitions concerning examination reforms were already pending before the Supreme Court and suggested that the present matter be considered along with them.
Court's Decision
Accepting the submission, the Supreme Court directed that the petition be tagged with the batch of pending matters relating to structural reforms in the National Testing Agency and the conduct of NEET examinations.
The Bench deferred further hearing of the matter and listed it along with the connected petitions, which are scheduled to be taken up on August 3, 2026.
Case Details
Case Title: Sudhakar Singh v. Union of India & Ors.
Judge: Justice P.S. Narasimha and Justice Alok Aradhe
Decision Date: July 27, 2026
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