"... the leak occurred while question papers were in transit after printing" :::::: Repeat NEET exam was successful, ".. that means system worked" .... "We need teachers to set question papers whom we can trust", says IIT Madras Director and Member of the task force Veezhinathan Kamakoti

IIT Madras Director and Member of the task force constituted for NTA examination reforms, Veezhinathan Kamakoti says, 

"The NEET examination was conducted again without any major issues...That shows the system has worked...The fundamental challenge we face right now is trust. 

"We need teachers whom we can trust, people who will set the question paper, maintain complete confidentiality, and faithfully discharge their responsibility without revealing its contents. 

This is the single biggest challenge we face".  

July 2026::: A Nihang performs Gatkha as protestors celebrate at Jantar Mantar 

Veezhinathan Kamakoti also says, 

"The next examination season begins in December for our Class 12 students. There are also other examinations, such as the UPSC and other examinations. Therefore, we have to review all these reforms and bring them up. I am also confident that Parliament will enact laws to address it...".

He further stated ::: 

"...The overall objective, as articulated by the Prime Minister in his message, is to conduct examinations that are transparent, robust, leak-proof, and technology-driven...

In my opinion, the biggest challenge is how we build and sustain trust among question paper setters..."

"As a committee, we are yet to meet. The announcement came only yesterday night. The overall objective, as articulated by the Prime Minister in his message, is to conduct examinations that are transparent, robust, leak-proof, and technology-driven. 

These four aspects are essential. We have been conducting public examinations for many years. However, what has changed is the scale...

"If you look at NEET 2024, the leak occurred while the question papers were in transit after printing. They had been packed into boxes and sent to a distribution centre. 

He also said:

"From there, they were transported to the examination centres. Somewhere during that process, the leak occurred. The investigating agency made it very clear that the incident was contained and affected only around 40 to 50 students. 

They also stated that they were confident all those involved had been arrested. The matter was subsequently challenged before the Supreme Court."

Veezhinathan Kamakoti

"It was heard over three days before the Chief Justice, Justice D.Y. Chandrachud. 

After extensive hearings, the Court concluded that there was no need for a re-examination because the integrity of the examination as a whole had not been compromised. 

The Court observed that those involved in the leak, as well as its beneficiaries, had already been taken into custody. Following this, the Ministry of Education constituted a committee under the chairmanship of Dr Radhakrishnan, comprising several eminent members." 

"The committee examined what had happened in NEET 2024 and came forward with around 200 recommendations, which were also placed in the public domain. 

The National Testing Agency (NTA) implemented many of those recommendations. 

On the May 3rd 2026 examination, there was a leak. 

The leak did not occur during the distribution process, which was the cause of the 2024 leak. 

"After the question paper left the premises of the NTA, it was printed, packed into boxes, and circulated until it reached the students at the examination venue on the day of the exam. No leak occurred during this process. 

"The suggestions of the Radhakrishnan Committee helped strengthen this aspect of the system...

As indicated by the reports from the investigating agencies, the leak originated with the question paper setter. In any examination system, two groups of people must be trustworthy. 

First, there are the question paper setters. 

They form the most critical group. 

Second, there are the invigilators at the examination centres...

In my opinion, the biggest challenge is how we build and sustain trust among question paper setters. 

On the invigilation side, we have already introduced cameras for monitoring...

However, the most important issue remains the integrity and trustworthiness of the question paper setter...

"As a committee, I believe our responsibility is to fulfil the mandate given by the Prime Minister: to create a completely transparent, robust, leak-proof, and technology-driven examination system that can function effectively at scale. 

That is what structural reform means...".

                                             writing on the wall 

ends