The Supreme Court of India announced on Monday that it will closely observe the recommendations put forward by the high-level committee headed by tech visionary Nandan Nilekani regarding the potential transition of the NEET exam from paper-based tests to an online format. Hearing a plea filed in connection with the paper leak controversy, the bench underscored the critical need for robust digital safeguards and innovative security protocols.
Supreme Court Demands Advanced Cyber Safeguards for Computer-Based Tests
A two-judge bench comprising Justice PS Narasimha and Justice Alok Aradhe emphasized that moving away from traditional pen-and-paper examinations to computer-based testing requires radical, unconventional ideas. The bench noted, “We need to have some additional safeguards in terms of cyber security and database security.” The judges highlighted that securing candidate data and preventing technological breaches must remain top priorities during this structural shift.
This judicial intervention stems from a petition moved by Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) MP Sudhakar Singh. The parliamentarian had approached the top court following widespread outrage over the alleged question paper leak during the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test Undergraduate (NEET-UG) held on May 3, demanding the cancellation and re-conduct of the test.
Government Outlines High-Powered Taskforce Led by Nandan Nilekani
Representing the Union Government, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed the bench that the administration views the examination breach with extreme gravity. He highlighted that the Prime Minister himself announced the formation of a specialized committee to overhaul the examination ecosystem, placing technology expert Nandan Nilekani at its helm.
The taskforce features prominent figures from administrative, scientific, and technical sectors
- S. Somanath, former chairperson of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
- Tapan Deka, former director of the Intelligence Bureau (IB)
- V. Kamakoti, director of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras
- Anita Karwal, former Union Education Secretary
- Amrit Lal Meena, expert in logistics management
Timeline of the NEET Controversy and Ongoing CBI Probe
The ongoing dispute traces back to May 3, when millions of medical aspirants took the NEET-UG exam. Following evidence and allegations of question paper leakage, the National Testing Agency (NTA) scrapped the exam on May 12 and subsequently organized a re-examination on June 21. Meanwhile, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) continues its active probe into the network behind the breach.
Earlier on June 1, the top court had declined an urgent listing for MP Sudhakar Singh's request to mandate a computer-based test (CBT) mode for the June 21 re-test. The Supreme Court has now listed Sudhakar Singh's main petition for its next hearing on August 3.
