SC on Nandan Nilekani task force: Will see suggestions on online NEET exam

The Supreme Court on Monday (July 27, 2026) indicated that it would seek suggestions from the high-powered task force, to be headed by former UIDAI chairman Nandan Nilekani, on transitioning the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test for Undergraduate (NEET-UG) to a computer-based test (CBT).

A Bench of Justices P.S. Narasimha and Alok Aradhe was hearing a petition filed by RJD MP Sudhakar Singh seeking sweeping reforms in the conduct of the NEET-UG examination, including a direction to examine a transition from the existing pen-and-paper format to a computer-based test. The petition was filed after the Union government and the National Testing Agency (NTA) cancelled the NEET-UG 2026 examination held on May 3 following allegations of a widespread paper leak.

During the hearing, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre, informed the Bench that the Union government had taken a “very serious view” of the matter and had constituted a high-powered task force. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday (July 26, 2026) announced that the task force, headed by former UIDAI chairman Nandan Nilekani, would recommend measures to make the country’s public examination system leak-proof and technology-driven.

Mr. Mehta said the task force would comprise former ISRO chairman S. Somanath, former Intelligence Bureau Director Tapan Deka, IIT Madras Director V. Kamakoti, former Education Secretary Anita Karwal and logistics expert Amrit Lal Meena, in addition to Mr. Nilekani.

Justice Narasimha said the court would hear the matter on August 3 along with the other pending petitions on NEET reforms. He added that the court would seek the task force’s views on how the transition from the present pen-and-paper format to a computer-based examination could be carried out and the safeguards required to secure examination data.

“When the transition occurs from physical conduct to online, what additional safeguards need to be taken, how the database is secured etc… Data storage is also an issue,” Justice Narasimha orally remarked.

Responding, Mr. Mehta said that Mr. Nilekani would assist the court in identifying the reforms required.

Earlier, the Bench had called out extraordinary measures, such as deploying the Indian Air Force to transport question papers of this year’s NEET examination, as temporary fixes. “We cannot let such a situation go on like this. We have to focus on institutionalisation… Here, because of what had happened, you deployed the Air Force, but that is only an ad hoc arrangement, not a permanent one,” the Bench had observed.

The top court had also directed the Centre to file an additional affidavit outlining its road map for implementing the reforms, detailing the proposed cybersecurity framework, the designated agency for its implementation, and the safeguards to prevent data breaches. “Computer assistance is another thing which the committee has spoken about… Encryption of question papers… This falls into the same category. If you digitise it, how will you secure it?” Justice Narasimha had asked.

Meanwhile, in a move to strengthen the anti-cheating law, the Union government has proposed the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, which seeks to increase the punishment for those involved in unfair means, including the leaking of question papers for public examinations, from three to five years’ imprisonment to five to 10 years. It also proposes to enhance the maximum fine from ₹10 lakh to ₹50 lakh. A copy of the Bill was circulated among Members of Parliament on Saturday (July 25, 2026).

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also announced the setting up of fast-track courts to ensure the speedy trial of cases involving NEET paper leaks. “Nothing is more important than the welfare and future of our youth! We have decided to set up fast-track courts to ensure swift and stringent punishment for those involved in paper leaks. I have directed the concerned authorities and officials to take all necessary steps in this regard. This continues our series of steps to safeguard the interests of students. Those who try to harm the future of our youth will not be spared,” he said in a post on X.

Following protests against the paper leaks, which spread across several States and snowballed into a major political crisis for the Narendra Modi government, Dharmendra Pradhan resigned as the Union Education Minister on Saturday (July 25, 2026). Union Minister Pralhad Joshi assumed charge as the new Education Minister on Sunday (July 26, 2026).