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New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday said it would closely monitor the Centre’s efforts to reform the National Testing Agency (NTA) and strengthen the examination system after the NEET paper leak controversy. The court stressed that long-term institutional reforms were needed instead of temporary measures to prevent future leaks.

A Bench of Justices PS Narasimha and Alok Aradhe made the observations while hearing petitions filed by the United Doctors Front and the FAIMA Doctors Association on issues relating to the functioning of the NTA.

The hearing comes after NEET paper leak controvresy which raised concerns about the credibility of India’s largest medical entrance test. Following the controversy, the Centre set up the Radhakrishnan Committee to recommend reforms in the NTA and the examination process.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre, told the court that the government had made progress and sought a few more days to present a comprehensive reform plan.

He said, “There is some progress. I request a few more days so that we can present a holistic view.”

The Bench observed that extraordinary security arrangements used in previous examinations should not become permanent solutions.

Referring to the deployment of the Indian Air Force to transport question papers, Justice Narasimha remarked, “You deployed the Air Force, but that is ad hoc,” adding, “Ad hocism has troubled us for years.”

The court said the focus should be on creating a reliable system that would not require such emergency measures in the future.

The Supreme Court directed the Centre to submit a detailed affidavit explaining its reform plans. It asked for information on the proposed governing board, transparency measures, expert participation and changes across the entire examination process, including pre-exam planning, conduct of examinations and post-exam procedures.

The Bench also sought details on state and district-level examination bodies, secure printing and transportation of question papers, and other safeguards.