By Mr. Gaurav Tyagi, Medical Counsellor, Career Xpert
The Supreme Court of India has once again come into the limelight in the context of a significant discussion surrounding the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test for Postgraduate (NEET PG). A recently filed Public Interest Litigation (PIL) by a group of aspirants has led to a demand for the broader release of the NEET PG answer key and question paper, reigniting debates on transparency, accountability, fairness, and integrity related to one of India’s most formidable competitive medical entrance examinations.
The petitioners have argued that the absence of a complete question paper and official answer key prevents candidates from verifying their performances or raising objections effectively. They pointed out that other examinations such as NEET-UG, UPSC, and several state-level medical exams provide question papers and answer keys, allowing candidates to cross-check their responses. This difference, they claim, creates the perception of an opaque assessment process—raising questions about how scores translate into results, a crucial factor for maintaining legitimacy and trust.
The National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS), which conducts NEET PG, has maintained that withholding the question paper and answer key safeguards the integrity of the exam, as the questions are sensitive and the scoring system is calibrated. Conversely, the petitioners have asserted that transparency should not be viewed as a threat but as a means to build confidence among thousands of medical graduates whose futures depend on the exam.
During recent hearings, the Supreme Court emphasized that maintaining fairness and transparency—especially in national-level examinations—is essential to uphold integrity and merit in fields such as medicine, where credibility and trustworthiness are paramount. Reportedly, the bench has asked NBEMS to provide a clear explanation of the scoring methodology and consider implementing a candidate-specific response sheet system, similar to the one used by the National Testing Agency (NTA) for NEET-UG.
If implemented, this reform could mark a significant change in NEET PG 2026. It would allow candidates to review their question papers, their responses, and the correct answers—reducing ambiguity and speculation about result accuracy. Experts believe that this seemingly small change could be a major step toward enhancing transparency and aligning NEET PG with global testing standards, where fairness and feedback are hallmarks of credibility.
Medical education stakeholders also note that increased transparency could help address broader issues such as exam-related stress and anxiety among aspirants. Ambiguous evaluation methods often contribute to candidates’ mental pressure. By opening up the process, NBEMS could reassure candidates that their marks are based on a consistent, unbiased, and verifiable process.
As the Supreme Court continues to hear the case, all eyes are on whether 2026 will mark the beginning of a more transparent and accountable NEET PG system. Should these measures be adopted, it would represent a historic step in the evolution of the examination—restoring its foundational values of fairness, openness, and integrity that the medical community in India holds dear.
Disclaimer:
The views expressed are solely those of the author and do not represent the views of any organization or publication.