NEW DELHI: The Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA) has taken a significant step by petitioning the Supreme Court of India in light of the recent cancellation of the NEET-UG 2026 examination. Citing "systemic failure" of the National Testing Agency (NTA), the petition filed through advocate Tanvi Dubey calls for a total overhaul of the NTA and for a new, secure NEET examination to be conducted under judicial supervision.

The urgency of the petition follows the NTA's decision to cancel the NEET-UG 2026 examination, which had been conducted on May 3, after serious allegations of a paper leak surfaced. Reports indicated that “guess papers” circulated on messaging platforms like WhatsApp and Telegram were found to have alarmingly matched over 100 questions from the actual exam. Faced with public outcry and demands for accountability, the Central Government has entrusted the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) with the task of probing the allegations.

In a bid to regain public confidence, FAIMA's petition requests that the Supreme Court directs the Union Government to establish a more "robust, technologically advanced, and autonomous body" to oversee NEET examinations moving forward. The plea specifically suggests the formation of a High-Powered Monitoring Committee, led by a retired Supreme Court judge, alongside cybersecurity experts and forensic scientists, to ensure integrity during the re-conduct of NEET-UG 2026.

Moreover, the petition demands comprehensive measures such as the digital locking of question papers and transitioning to a Computer Based Test (CBT) format to mitigate risks associated with physical exam materials. The association also urges the CBI to provide a status report on the investigation, detailing identified networks, arrests, and prosecution progress within four weeks, ensuring transparency in this critical matter.

As the future of medical admissions hangs in the balance, this legal challenge underscores the ongoing efforts to secure a fair and efficient examination process for aspiring medical students across India.