The Supreme Court is poised to address critical petitions regarding the NEET-UG paper leak case on Friday. This session comes at a time when the central government is reportedly considering the use of Indian Air Force aircraft to transport question papers for a retest scheduled for June 21.

The importance of this hearing cannot be overstated, as it involves petitions from the Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA) and the United Doctors Front (UDF). These petitions demand the dissolution of the National Testing Agency (NTA), which oversees a computer-based testing system, along with a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry into the alleged leak.

Earlier this week, the Supreme Court issued notices concerning these petitions. As of now, no responses have been submitted by the Centre, the NTA, or the CBI, leading to further scrutiny of the situation.

Government’s Consideration of IAF Support

In light of concerns regarding the integrity of the upcoming retest, the government appears to be exploring the option of utilising the Indian Air Force for secure transportation of the NEET-UG question papers. This proposal was discussed during a high-level meeting led by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, alongside Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia.

During this meeting, senior officials evaluated the feasibility of deploying IAF aircraft to ensure the safe transfer of examination materials ahead of the June 21 retest. A final decision has yet to be reached, and the proposal is expected to be presented to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his approval.

Prime Minister Modi has reportedly been closely monitoring the preparations for the retest and has been receiving consistent updates about the examination logistics. The meeting on Thursday also involved discussions on each stage of the examination process, including question paper creation, printing, and security.

Nationwide Outrage Over Allegations

The NEET-UG examination, held on May 3 across 551 cities in India and 14 centres abroad, had around 23 lakh candidates registered. Allegations of malpractices came to light on the evening of May 7, just four days after the examination took place. The NTA promptly informed central agencies about these allegations for investigation.

Responding to the escalating outrage and claims of question paper leaks, the NTA cancelled the examination on May 12 and announced a retest set for June 21, as public confidence in the examination process waned.

In tandem with these developments, the CBI took action based on a complaint lodged by the Department of Higher Education under the Ministry of Education. The agency formed special investigation teams, conducted searches across various states, and made multiple arrests. To date, 13 individuals have been detained from locations such as Delhi, Jaipur, Gurugram, Nasik, Pune, Latur, and Ahilyanagar.

The CBI has reported progress in tracing the alleged source of the question paper leak, adding to the complexity of the ongoing situation. The forthcoming Supreme Court hearing is anticipated to be a pivotal moment in the expanding NEET controversy, amid increasing calls for comprehensive reforms within the examination system to restore public confidence.

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