A Parliamentary Standing Committee overseeing education, women, children, youth and sports has formally recommended the introduction of a legislative framework to bring the National Testing Agency (NTA) under direct parliamentary oversight. The report, released on October 9, 2026, follows the controversy surrounding the NEET UG paper leak and subsequent examination cancellation. The committee emphasised that maintaining the integrity of national examinations is a matter of social justice and national interest.
Addressing the challenges faced by the agency, the panel noted that criminal networks profit from examination fraud by identifying weak links. To counter this, the committee urged the NTA to bolster its internal security protocols, increase staffing levels, and further digitise its operations. Among the significant structural reforms proposed, the panel suggested transitioning from traditional pen-and-paper exams to computer-based testing models. Furthermore, it advocated for a shift toward government-owned testing centres to minimize dependence on private facilities, which have been flagged as potential vulnerabilities.
To mitigate the long-term risk of paper leaks, the committee recommended the creation of a large, diverse, and dynamic question bank. It argued that relying on newly drafted questions each year poses a risk to the integrity of the process. Instead, by utilizing a continuously updated repository, the NTA could secure exams without providing advance knowledge to question-setters. Additionally, the panel advised that students arriving late to exam centres should be permitted to take the test after providing a formal undertaking.
While acknowledging that the NTA has undertaken efforts to improve its procedures, the committee maintained that the cancellation of the May 2026 NEET (UG) exam clearly demonstrates the need for more rigorous reform. The recommendations aim to provide the agency with the tools and oversight required to stay ahead of evolving examination fraud tactics.
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