NEET Re-exam Today: NTA's Track Record Under Scrutiny After Paper Leak

The National Testing Agency (NTA) is set to reconduct the NEET-UG examination on Sunday, following the cancellation of the May 12 exam after allegations of a paper leak. This has sparked widespread debate on the conduct of competitive exams in India, with opposition parties and student groups criticising the agency's performance.

The NTA, constituted in 2018, has faced multiple controversies in recent years, including paper leaks, technical glitches, and logistical failures. A Parliamentary Standing Committee report submitted in 2025 flagged that out of 14 exams conducted by the NTA in 2024, at least five faced major issues, leading to the postponement of UGC-NET, CSIR-NET, and NEET-PG, and a paper leak in NEET-UG. The report also noted errors in JEE Main 2025, where 12 questions had to be withdrawn due to incorrect answer keys.

In contrast, agencies like the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) and individual IITs conducting JEE Advanced have maintained a relatively cleaner record. The UPSC conducts civil services and NDA exams without major leaks, while JEE Advanced, rotated among IITs, has seen fewer controversies. Similarly, the Common Admission Test (CAT) for IIMs has been conducted smoothly.

The NTA's history includes isolated incidents: in 2021, allegations of a NEET paper leak in Jaipur led to arrests, but the NTA denied a leak. In JEE Main 2021, an FIR was filed against a coaching centre for hacking exam computers. The UGC-NET 2022 faced allegations from student groups, but the NTA refuted them. The debut of CUET in 2022 was marred by logistical chaos but no confirmed leak.

As the NEET re-exam proceeds, the government and NTA face pressure to ensure transparency and restore trust. The Home Ministry has deployed central forces and blocked Telegram channels to prevent further leaks. The outcome of this exam will be closely watched as a test of the agency's credibility.