Nandan Nilekani panel likely to submit first NEET reform report by end of September

The Nandan Nilekani-led panel examining reforms to the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) is expected to submit its first interim report by the end of September, the Centre told the Supreme Court on Sep 18.

The panel has completed consultations, including discussions with members of the earlier K Radhakrishnan committee, as the court continues to monitor efforts to overhaul the examination system.

The high-powered panel headed by Infosys co-founder has been examining structural changes to the examination system, while the Supreme Court is separately monitoring the steps being taken to strengthen the National Testing Agency (NTA), which conducts NEET-UG and other national-level examinations.

Nilekani panel completes consultations

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told the Supreme Court that the Nilekani-led panel has held extensive consultations as part of its work. The panel has also consulted members of an earlier committee headed by former ISRO chairman K Radhakrishnan.

The Supreme Court asked the Department of Personnel and Training joint secretary assisting the panel to file an affidavit setting out the progress made so far and the steps taken by the committee.

SC seeks permanent NTA structure

The latest hearing also placed the institutional structure of the NTA at the centre of the discussion.

The bench of Justices P S Narasimha and Alok Aradhe stressed the need for a permanent system for conducting NEET, including permanent staffing and dedicated functional units. The court also raised the issue of reducing reliance on deputation so that the agency can develop a stable institutional structure.

The Centre told the court that the NTA's upgraded structure has been made permanent, although its human resources are only partly in place.

The bench also indicated that it would visit the NTA's newly upgraded facility in Delhi to examine the infrastructure and systems put in place.

According to the information placed before the court, the NTA has shifted its confidential operations to a dedicated government facility at Minto Road and has reorganised its structure around specialised functional areas. The agency has also strengthened its leadership and begun bringing in officers and domain specialists through different recruitment routes.

The court has directed the NTA to place its affidavit on its website so that other stakeholders can examine the progress reported by the agency.

Earlier committee recommendations remain part of reform process

The current reform exercise follows the work of the seven-member High-Level Committee of Experts headed by K Radhakrishnan, which was constituted by the Education Ministry in June 2024 after concerns emerged over the conduct of NEET-UG 2024.

The committee's mandate covered three broad areas: examination-process reforms, improvements in data-security protocols, and changes to the structure and functioning of the NTA.

The Nilekani panel has been examining structural reforms in this broader context. The Supreme Court has emphasised that recommendations should ultimately result in changes to the examination system and the functioning of the agency, rather than remaining limited to committee reports.

What the panel's report could address

The exact recommendations of the Nilekani panel have not yet been made public. The Centre has said that suggestions received from petitioners and other stakeholders have been placed before the panel.

Separately, stakeholders have submitted proposals including a two-stage NEET, a permanent statutory examination authority, encrypted transmission of question papers and independent audits of examination standards. These are proposals from stakeholders and have not been announced as recommendations of the Nilekani panel.

The panel's first interim report, expected by the end of September, is therefore likely to provide the next formal indication of the structural changes being considered for NEET and the wider examination system.

NEET 2026 controversy and the new reform panel

The Nandan Nilekani-led task force was formed after the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak triggered weeks of student protests across Delhi and other parts of the country. The controversy raised concerns over the security and functioning of the National Testing Agency's examination system, with protesting students also demanding the resignation of then Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

The government subsequently announced a fresh exercise to examine technological and structural reforms to the examination system.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the six-member high-powered task force headed by Nilekani in July 2026, saying it would examine ways to strengthen the NTA's examination system through technology and structural changes. The panel later invited suggestions from students, parents, teachers, academic institutions, examination bodies and technology experts.

The new exercise comes nearly two years after the government constituted the K Radhakrishnan committee following the 2024 examination controversies. That earlier panel submitted 101 recommendations covering examination reforms, data security and the functioning of the NTA.