NTA Revamp Begins After NEET-UG Leak Row, Dharmendra Pradhan Orders ‘Foolproof’ Re-Exam

The National Testing Agency announced wide-ranging reforms as pressure grows over the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak. The steps focus on tighter examination security, better technology and stronger internal checks, ahead of the upcoming NEET (UG) re-examination that follows the cancelled 3 May test.

Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan led a high-level review to check preparedness for the fresh NEET (UG) attempt. Pradhan asked officials to plug every loophole from earlier processes and conduct the test under strict safeguards so that students across states face a fair and secure examination.

NEET-UG reforms and NTA restructuring for examination security

During the meeting, Pradhan told agencies that gaps found in earlier conduct must be removed completely. Officials were instructed to run the re-exam in a "secure, seamless and foolproof manner" with clear protocols. Coordination meetings with district magistrates and superintendents of police across India were ordered to strengthen centre-level vigilance and real-time supervision.

The controversy stems from the 3 May NEET-UG exam being scrapped after claims that parts of the paper surfaced in advance. That episode raised fresh doubts about examination security, adding to earlier 2024 complaints, including alleged leaks, disputes over grace marks, unusual perfect scores and claims of organised malpractice across several states.

NTA leadership, NEET-UG technology upgrades and examination security steps

NTA stated that it has begun strengthening its "leadership team, institutional capacity and oversight mechanisms" as advised by the high-level expert committee led by former ISRO chief K Radhakrishnan. Four senior officers, including two joint secretary-level officials named additional director generals, have joined the agency to tighten supervision and daily operations.

The agency has also advertised three new specialist leadership posts to modernise systems and accountability. These roles are shown below.

According to NTA, the proposed CTO will manage the entire digital examination chain. The role will cover confidential paper handling, AI-based integrity checks, biometric and facial verification, cyber-security protections and anomaly tracking tools designed to flag suspicious activity during tests held nationwide.

Broader changes will affect how NEET-UG papers are designed, translated, printed and transported, with technology used at every step. NTA also plans continuous monitoring dashboards, stronger audits, regular training for staff, better coordination with stakeholders and improved grievance systems for students and parents. Officials must also ensure power backup, secure storage, medical help and emergency response teams at centres.