NTA Chairman Refuses To Admit NEET Paper Leak Before Parliamentary Committee

The Chairman and the Director General (DG) of the National Testing Agency (NTA) appeared before the Parliamentary Committee on Education, Women, Children, Youth, and Sports to address the ongoing controversy surrounding the NEET-UG 2026 examination. During the high-level meeting, the NTA leadership was questioned extensively regarding the allegations of a paper leak that has sparked nationwide concern among students and educators alike. The session was marked by intense deliberations as the committee sought clarity on the integrity of the examination process and the steps being taken to address the alleged irregularities.

NTA Stance on Paper Leak Allegations

According to sources, NTA Chairman Pradeep Kumar Joshi maintained a firm stance before the parliamentary committee, refusing to officially categorize the NEET-UG 2026 examination as a leaked paper at this stage. Despite persistent questioning from opposition members of the committee, the NTA leadership argued that the matter is currently under an active investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The Chairman stated that the agency would only accept the occurrence of a paper leak once the CBI completes its probe and provides a definitive conclusion to that effect. This position suggests that the NTA is awaiting formal judicial or investigative confirmation before taking responsibility for a systemic breach.

Political Dynamics and Committee Questioning

The parliamentary committee meeting, chaired by Digvijaya Singh, saw a sharp divide in the reactions of the members, while digvijaya Singh himself posed several pointed questions to the NTA officials regarding the previous instances of paper leaks and the measures implemented to prevent such occurrences in the 2026 cycle. While opposition members continued to press for immediate accountability and an admission of failure, MPs from the ruling party appeared to support the NTA's position. The ruling party members emphasized the importance of following the due process of the CBI investigation before arriving at any final conclusions regarding the nature of the examination's compromise.

CBI Investigation and Key Arrests

Parallel to the parliamentary proceedings, the CBI has made significant progress in its investigation. On the same day as the committee meeting, the CBI arrested Manisha Mandhre, a biology lecturer who was notably a member of the NTA's examination-setting committee. Her arrest marks a critical juncture in the probe, as it links the alleged irregularities directly to individuals involved in the paper-setting process. Following her arrest, she was produced in court and sent to CBI custody for 14 days starting from May 17. This development has added weight to the allegations of internal involvement in the breach of examination security.

Future Roadmap and Re-examination Schedule

In light of the controversies and the subsequent cancellation of the NEET-UG examination held on May 3, the NTA has announced a revised schedule for the aspirants. The NEET-UG 2026 re-examination is now scheduled to be conducted on June 21. Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan recently addressed the media, indicating a potential shift in the examination's format. He mentioned that in the coming years, the NEET examination is expected to gradually transition toward a Computer-Based Test (CBT) format to enhance security and transparency. For the upcoming June 21 exam, the revised admit cards are expected to be released approximately one week prior to the examination date, ensuring that students have sufficient time to prepare for the rescheduled test.