The Supreme Court of India today heard petition filed by RJD MP Sudhakar Singh seeking immediate directions for transition to a secure Computer Based Test (CBT) framework instead of the existing pen-and-paper mode followed in the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test, Undergraduate (NEET UG) exam.
The petitioner has requested that the CBT system should be in place even for re-test to be held on June 21, 2026. Requesting strict implementation of recommendations of Radhakrishnan panel, petition also says question papers be transmitted digitally via encrypted links and printed locally just 30–60 minutes before the exam, cutting out physical transportation and secure room leaks.
Reacting to this plea, the Bench stated that “We have dismissed similar petitions. we will keep it pending…let it come up after vacations with other pending petitions.”
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SC advocate Satyam Singh Rajpoot appeared for petitioner RJD MP Sudhakar Singh. While he reiterated that they are requesting computer-based exams instead of the pen-and-paper mode, Justice Narasimha dismissed the request. “We have dismissed similar petitions. we will keep it pending…let it come up after vacations with other pending petitions. See for now there is no question..you know what kind of problems we are facing ..exam got cancelled now exam being re-held ..imagine the pressure they are in. We shall hear with other petitions on July 27,” he stated.
The National Testing Agency (NTA) has always conducted NEET UG in an offline mode, i.e. pen-and-paper mode. However, with allegations of paper leak in 2024, it was recommended that the exam should be shifted to online mode and should be conducted in phases. However, this recommendation was not adopted by the NTA.
Following the alleged paper leak, in a press briefing held on May 15, 2026 the Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan stated that the Ministry is aiming to conduct the exam in an online format from next year. However, students and other experts are demanding that the re-NEET exam, scheduled on June 21, should also eb conducted in an online mode to ensure there is no further leak in this year’s medical entrance examination too.
