Supreme Court Enlists Nilekani Task Force to Overhaul NEET into Digital Format
The Supreme Court of India is consulting a high-level committee led by Nandan Nilekani to transition the NEET-UG exam to a computer-based system. This reform follows the cancellation of the 2026 medical entrance test due to extensive paper leaks.
Judicial Push for Computer-Based Testing
The Supreme Court of India signaled on July 27, 2026, that it will lean on a high-powered task force to modernize the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test for Undergraduate (NEET-UG). Presided over by Justices P.S. Narasimha and Alok Aradhe, the bench is evaluating a petition from RJD MP Sudhakar Singh that demands a permanent shift from traditional pen-and-paper exams to a computer-based test (CBT) model. This legal intervention follows the May 3, 2026, exam cancellation by the National Testing Agency (NTA) after evidence of widespread question paper leaks surfaced.
The Nilekani Committee and Technological Security
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed the court that the Union government has mobilized a specialized panel to secure the integrity of public examinations. Spearheaded by former UIDAI chairman Nandan Nilekani, the task force includes prominent figures such as former ISRO chairman S. Somanath, IIT Madras Director V. Kamakoti, and former IB Director Tapan Deka. Other members include former Education Secretary Anita Karwal and logistics expert Amrit Lal Meena. Justice Narasimha indicated that the court specifically requires this committee's expertise on the logistics of digital transition and the necessary protocols for data protection.
During the proceedings, the bench criticized previous emergency measures, such as using the Indian Air Force to transport physical papers, as mere ad hoc solutions. The court has now mandated that the Centre provide a detailed roadmap for cybersecurity and data storage. Ensuring the encryption of digital question papers is a primary concern for the justices as they seek to replace temporary fixes with institutionalized safeguards.
Legislative Tightening and Political Shifts
Parallel to the judicial scrutiny, the Union government is moving to harden legal consequences for academic fraud. The proposed Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, aims to double maximum prison sentences from five to ten years and increase fines to ₹50 lakh. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who announced the task force on July 26, 2026, also confirmed the establishment of fast-track courts to prosecute those involved in exam leaks. These developments coincide with a cabinet reshuffle; following a period of intense public protest, Dharmendra Pradhan resigned as Education Minister, with Pralhad Joshi taking over the portfolio on July 26, 2026. The Supreme Court is scheduled to revisit the reform petitions on August 3.
Source: The Hindu — Home
