The lack of accountability within the NTA

The article critically analyzes the lack of accountability within the National Testing Agency (NTA) following the cancellation and re-examination of NEET-UG. It highlights that the NTA, being a registered society and not a statutory body, has limited formal obligations to candidates. The single-sitting, single-paper design of NEET-UG amplifies the impact of any breach, leading to nationwide disruptions. While the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, introduces penalties for leaks, it lacks provisions for candidate compensation or NTA liability. The article argues that this design, which transfers all costs of institutional failure onto candidates, particularly those from weaker sections, violates constitutional principles like Article 14 and the Directive Principles (Articles 41, 46). It recommends giving NTA a statutory basis, establishing a mandatory compensation mechanism, and introducing multiple examination windows to distribute risk.