Digvijaya Singh Slams NTA Over Repeated Exam Irregularities; Standing Committee Meet Begins

Expressing deep concern over the future of 22 lakh medical aspirants, Digvijaya Singh, Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education, Women, Children, Youth, and Sports, has vowed a thorough investigation into the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak case.

Standing Committee on Education, Women, Children, Youth and Sports is meeting in the national capital and will seek an update on the investigation into the NEET-UG paper leak

Speaking to ANI following the panel’s decision to summon the National Testing Agency (NTA) chief and senior Education Ministry officials, Singh emphasised the gravity of the situation.

“When the future of 22 lakh students depends upon this, we will surely investigate what happened and why,” Singh stated.

“What is the reason such incidents are recurring? We will take cognisance of this, discuss it, and give our verdict unanimously,” he said.

“It is disappointing that the recommendations we kept in the House from the Parliamentary Standing Committee, and expected that the NTA and the Higher Education Ministry would take into cognisance, did not happen. We will also inquire to what extent the Radhakrishnan report was implemented.”

Earlier, on Tuesday, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan chaired a high-level review meeting to assess preparations for the upcoming NEET-UG re-examination scheduled on June 21.

According to an official statement, Pradhan directed officials to ensure “complete integrity and transparency” in the conduct of the re-examination and stressed that all shortcomings identified in the earlier process must be comprehensively addressed.

The Minister instructed officials to conduct coordination meetings with District Magistrates and Superintendents of Police across states to ensure effective monitoring and strict security arrangements at examination centres.

Pradhan also directed authorities to make adequate arrangements for students, including transportation, drinking water and other essential facilities, while emphasising that vigilance and security should remain uncompromised.

As a corrective measure following the controversy, the Union Education Minister had earlier announced that NEET-UG would be conducted in computer-based test (CBT) mode from next year onward.

NEET-UG 2026, which was conducted on May 3 by the National Testing Agency (NTA), was cancelled on May 12 following allegations of a coordinated paper leak. The examination was held across 551 cities in India and 14 cities abroad at over 5,400 centres, with more than 22 lakh candidates appearing for the test. (ANI)