Seeing Beyond the Noise…

Seeing Beyond the Noise…

Even with eyes wide open, we often see only what we wish to see.

Amid the deafening noise around us, we listen only to what we wish to hear.

The cancellation of the NEET exam on 3rd May 2026, after it was discovered that the paper had been leaked, is a painful reminder of this selective blindness. More than 22.05 lakh candidates appeared for the exam, and yet the integrity of the process was compromised.

This is not the first time. After the 2024 leak, corrective measures were introduced — including the Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, which is now in force to prevent misconduct in public examinations and common entrance tests across the country. The central government also set up a seven-member panel headed by former ISRO chief K. Radhakrishnan to recommend reforms.

The governing body of NEET itself is composed of eminent figures: a former UPSC chairman as chairperson, an IAS officer as member secretary, three directors of IITs, preceding and succeeding chairpersons of JEE, two directors of NITs, two directors of IIMs, the director of IISER, vice chancellors of JNU and IGNOU, the chairman of NAAC, and even a psychiatrist. These are stalwarts of Indian academia and administration, associated with the most prestigious institutions.

Yet, despite strict laws and highly capable administrators, breaches have occurred repeatedly. 

Why? Perhaps because we have neglected the foundation of a value system.

Punishing culprits is necessary, but punishment alone cannot guarantee that such incidents will never recur. 

The true responsibility lies with administrators: to build a system so robust that malpractice becomes impossible.

Building a System of Integrity:

The measures suggested by different committees are welcome and indeed a good move. The 2024 Act is strong enough. But the current leak proves that something more is required. 

Laws and committees can only go so far; what is needed is a deeper, systemic approach that combines technology, accountability, and values.

Here are some more measures that come to mind:

• Rigorous background checks: Just as US Visa applicants must complete the DS-160 form and undergo AI-driven verification, every individual associated with NTA — from the chairman to paper setters — should undergo thorough background checks. Any mismatch between declared and actual information should result in disqualification, subject to due process. 
• Surveillance: Individuals associated with NTA should be subject to monitoring during their tenure and for a defined period thereafter. Their associations, financial transactions, and even close relatives’ dealings should be scrutinized to prevent collusion.
• Student accountability: While test-taking students are legally exempt from certain penal provisions, it is important to raise awareness that organised collusion in unfair means can still invite consequences under applicable laws. Awareness and deterrence are key to protecting exam integrity.
• Random checks: Random checks on high scorers must be conducted, mapping their performance across Class 10 exam, NEET, other relevant exams, and their subsequent academic records.

The Call for Value-Based Leadership:

Technology and law can punish offenders, but only value-based leadership can prevent offenses. Administrators must embrace integrity as the cornerstone of examination systems. Without values, even the most advanced systems collapse under human weakness.

To help stakeholders reflect on this deeper dimension, I have made my book Value-Based Leadership freely available on Kindle from 19th May to 25th May. 

May we learn to see with truly open eyes and listen to the voices that matter!

Dr. Mahendra Ingale @ Pune on May 20, 2026

mvingale2405@gmail.com

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