The Centre informed the Supreme Court on Thursday that it will implement all recommendations of the expert panel reviewing the National Testing Agency’s (NTA) conduct of the NEET-UG 2024 exam.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the government, told a bench of Justices P.S. Narasimha and Manoj Misra that the seven-member panel, led by former ISRO chief K. Radhakrishnan, has submitted its report. “We are committed to implementing all recommendations. The matter can be revisited in six months,” he said.

The court adjourned the matter for three months, listing it for April.

In August 2024, the Supreme Court refused to annul the NEET-UG 2024 exam despite reported malpractices, citing insufficient evidence of systemic compromise. However, it expanded the panel’s mandate to include broader exam reforms for NEET-UG, aiming to enhance transparency and security.

Key lapses highlighted during the NEET-UG 2024 included:

• A security breach at a Hazaribagh exam center where unauthorized access to question papers was allowed.
• Transporting question papers via e-rickshaws.
• Distribution of incorrect question paper sets to candidates.

The committee’s expanded remit includes examination security, data protection, technology upgrades, stakeholder collaboration, and mental health support for students.

The NEET-UG, conducted by the NTA, facilitates admission to MBBS, BDS, AYUSH, and related programs. Over 23 lakh students appeared for the 2024 exam.

The expert panel comprises K. Radhakrishnan, Randeep Guleria, B.J. Rao, Ramamurthy K., Pankaj Bansal, Aditya Mittal, and Govind Jaiswal.

In November 2024, the Supreme Court dismissed a review petition challenging its refusal to hold a fresh NEET-UG 2024 exam.

Also read: NEET-UG 2024: Deep rot symptom