NTA Ignores Supreme Court Directive to Revamp System Post-2024 Leak, Claims FAIMA Petition.

The Federation of Indian Medical Association (FAIMA) has taken a firm stance regarding the National Testing Agency’s (NTA) management of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET-UG), citing “recurring, systemic, and catastrophic” failures. FAIMA’s petition to the Supreme Court calls for a stronger intervention, arguing that the NTA has neglected critical recommendations from the Radhakrishnan Committee and prior court rulings following the 2024 question paper leak. They have proposed that substantial penalties be enacted for non-compliance to prevent further breaches and ensure accountability.

The petition highlights an over-reliance on unverified private vendors for essential logistics, which has led to repeated examination leaks. FAIMA pointed out serious lapses, including unauthorized access to secure areas and inadequate oversight over the examination process, despite the Supreme Court’s earlier warnings. This reliance has been compounded by outdated practices, such as using physical, unencrypted transport methods, significantly increasing the risk of additional leaks and compromising student futures.

FAIMA’s argument emphasizes the urgent need for the Supreme Court to implement reforms that ensure a modern and transparent examination infrastructure. The current punitive measures under the Public Examinations Act have proven insufficient to prevent leaks, merely addressing issues retrospectively. The association criticized the status quo as a failure of institutional governance, advocating for the establishment of permanent guidelines and proactive monitoring measures to safeguard against future breaches and restore integrity to the examination system.