The Supreme Court on Monday (1 June) declined to direct authorities to conduct the upcoming NEET-UG 2026 re-examination through a Computer-Based Test (CBT) system instead of the existing pen-and-paper format, providing no immediate relief to petitioners seeking a shift to digital testing.
A Bench of Justice P.S. Narasimha and Justice Aravind Kumar deferred the matter to July, effectively ruling out any change in the examination format for the re-test scheduled on June 21.
Background of the Case
The petition was filed by RJD MP Sudhakar Singh, who sought several reforms in the conduct of the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET-UG). During the hearing, the petitioner’s counsel informed the Court that he was pressing only one prayer - that the re-examination be conducted in CBT mode.
The plea was filed in the aftermath of the cancellation of the NEET-UG 2026 examination held on May 3, following allegations of a widespread paper leak. The examination is now scheduled to be reconducted on June 21.
The petition argued that a computer-based system would reduce risks associated with the printing, transportation, storage, and handling of physical question papers and improve examination security.
The Bench indicated that it was not inclined to grant the relief sought.
Justice Narasimha noted that similar requests had already been rejected by the Court in the past.
“The examination was cancelled, it is being reconducted. You know what kind of problems we are having,” the judge observed.
The Court also acknowledged the operational challenges faced by authorities while preparing for the re-test and reiterated that comparable pleas had previously been dismissed.
When the petitioner’s counsel insisted that only the CBT-related prayer was being pursued, the Bench maintained its position and stated that the matter would be taken up after the court vacation.
The case forms part of a larger batch of petitions concerning alleged irregularities in NEET-UG 2026 and the functioning of the National Testing Agency (NTA).
Several petitions before the Court seek structural reforms in the examination system, including enhanced digital safeguards, greater transparency, and institutional accountability within the NTA.
Refusing to interfere with the format of the June 21 NEET-UG 2026 re-examination, the Supreme Court posted the matter to July and tagged it with other pending petitions seeking reforms in the National Testing Agency and the conduct of national-level examinations.
Case Details:
Case Title: Sudhakar Singh & Ors. v. Union of India & Ors.
Case Number: W.P.(C) No. 675/2026
Judges: Justice P.S. Narasimha and Justice Aravind Kumar
Decision Date: June 1, 2026
