Page 2 - Neet Ug

Alliances, infighting and more: The battle for 2027 begins in five states

As five states gear up for elections in February-March 2027, parties are busy writing the first drafts of their campaign scripts. Archis Mohan reports

When an algorithm silences a PM: The case for real platform accountability

PM Modi's deleted social media post highlights the need for transparency, due process and accountability from Big Tech platforms over content moderation

Best of BS Opinion: India must hold the line on climate action

Today's opinions examine India's climate diplomacy lessons, vaccine resistance amid medical advances, AI's real-world limitations, RSS outreach to Gen Z and the growing threat of cognitive warfare

CBI alleges pre-planned Neet-UG 2026 paper leak involving NTA experts

In its chargesheet, the agency has claimed that 3 NTA-appointed subject experts were part of the conspiracy and allegedly misused their official roles to leak confidential examination material

CBI alleges pre-planned Neet-UG 2026 paper leak involving NTA experts

In its chargesheet, the agency has claimed that 3 NTA-appointed subject experts were part of the conspiracy and allegedly misused their official roles to leak confidential examination material

NEET Counselling 2026: How to register for Round 1 Choice Filling Window

NEET UG Counselling 2026 choice-filling window for the first round will open today, Aug 6, 2026. Registered candidates must select their preferred course and college for allotment at mcc.nic.in

Best of BS Opinion: Inflation projections demand monetary tightening

Today's opinions examine the RBI's inflation dilemma, rising life insurance surrenders, India's employment crisis, possible UPI charges and the shift from food to nutrition security

Undertaken comprehensive overhaul to prevent Neet paper leaks: Centre to SC

The Centre has told the Supreme Court that it has undertaken a comprehensive overhaul of the conduct of the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) to eliminate paper leaks and systemic failures. In a compliance affidavit filed before a bench headed by Justice P S Narasimha, the Ministry of Education said the reforms are aimed at creating a robust and institutionalised system that preserves institutional memory, strengthens examination security and prevents future incidents of paper leaks or other malpractices. The affidavit was filed in response to the apex court's May 29 direction asking the Union government to explain how future NEET examinations would be conducted and how regulatory authorities would build and retain institutional memory to improve examination processes over successive years. The government said that while the Ministry of Education oversees the National Testing Agency, NEET is conducted by the NTA on behalf of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the

Undertaken comprehensive overhaul to prevent Neet paper leaks: Centre to SC

The Centre has told the Supreme Court that it has undertaken a comprehensive overhaul of the conduct of the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) to eliminate paper leaks and systemic failures. In a compliance affidavit filed before a bench headed by Justice P S Narasimha, the Ministry of Education said the reforms are aimed at creating a robust and institutionalised system that preserves institutional memory, strengthens examination security and prevents future incidents of paper leaks or other malpractices. The affidavit was filed in response to the apex court's May 29 direction asking the Union government to explain how future NEET examinations would be conducted and how regulatory authorities would build and retain institutional memory to improve examination processes over successive years. The government said that while the Ministry of Education oversees the National Testing Agency, NEET is conducted by the NTA on behalf of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the

Best of BS Opinion: India must align ESG disclosures with global standards

Today's opinions examine PVC import restrictions, India's judicial backlog, reforms to ESG disclosures, digital inequalities in Neet and what Google searches reveal about society

6 Neet-UG candidates move SC over alleged discrepancies in OMR sheets

Six NEET-UG candidates approached the Supreme Court on Tuesday alleging discrepancies between the answers they had marked in their OMR sheets during the examination and the copies of those sheets made available by the National Testing Agency (NTA). The plea was mentioned before Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, seeking an early hearing before the commencement of the counselling process. The lawyer told a bench comprising Chief Justice Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana that the case pertains to six students who secured more than 600 and 650 marks but claim that the OMR sheets uploaded by the NTA differ from the answers they had actually marked during the examination. He also told the court that the students had emailed the NTA and also visited its office, but received no response. The bench then agreed to list the matter for hearing. The NEET-UG 2026 exam, originally held on May 3, was cancelled following a paper leak and was re-conducted on June 21 by the NTA.

States can withdraw FIRs against students who joined Neet protests: SC

The Supreme Court on Monday clarified that the governments of Delhi and other states can close or withdraw FIRs against students who participated in protests against the NEET paper leak, provided they do not have antecedents involving grave and heinous offences. A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana also made it clear that the expression "criminal antecedents" referred only to grave and heinous offences. At the outset, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told the top court that the Union government was serious in its commitment not to pursue FIRs against protesting students except those with criminal antecedents. Mehta said that FIRs against over 2,700 people with antecedents involving grave and heinous offences would not be withdrawn. During the hearing, senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan submitted that even lawyers' children were beaten during the protests. "The videos are very shocking. We have given 300 videos to the court. Since

States can withdraw FIRs against students who joined Neet protests: SC

The Supreme Court on Monday clarified that the governments of Delhi and other states can close or withdraw FIRs against students who participated in protests against the NEET paper leak, provided they do not have antecedents involving grave and heinous offences. A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana also made it clear that the expression "criminal antecedents" referred only to grave and heinous offences. At the outset, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told the top court that the Union government was serious in its commitment not to pursue FIRs against protesting students except those with criminal antecedents. Mehta said that FIRs against over 2,700 people with antecedents involving grave and heinous offences would not be withdrawn. During the hearing, senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan submitted that even lawyers' children were beaten during the protests. "The videos are very shocking. We have given 300 videos to the court. Since

After Neet controversy, NTA moves to tighten security with ₹7.5 cr tender

Following the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak controversy, the National Testing Agency (NTA) has floated a Rs 7.5-crore tender for round-the-clock security services at its headquarters at Minto Road, regional offices at Okhla, storage facilities and other notified locations. According to the tender document, the move aims to safeguard NTA's personnel, visitors, assets, premises, records, confidential examination material, server rooms, strong rooms and other critical infrastructure. The July 25 Request for Proposal (RFP) said the estimated contract value is "Rs 7.5 crore plus GST (tentative) for a 2-year contract without variation". Bids can be submitted until 3 pm on August 17, and the printing-services tender closes on August 20, it said. The contract will initially remain valid for two years and can be extended for two additional one-year periods, subject to satisfactory performance, mutual consent and approval of the competent authority. The tender requires a Rs 15 lakh deposit and wil

After Neet controversy, NTA moves to tighten security with ₹7.5 cr tender

Following the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak controversy, the National Testing Agency (NTA) has floated a Rs 7.5-crore tender for round-the-clock security services at its headquarters at Minto Road, regional offices at Okhla, storage facilities and other notified locations. According to the tender document, the move aims to safeguard NTA's personnel, visitors, assets, premises, records, confidential examination material, server rooms, strong rooms and other critical infrastructure. The July 25 Request for Proposal (RFP) said the estimated contract value is "Rs 7.5 crore plus GST (tentative) for a 2-year contract without variation". Bids can be submitted until 3 pm on August 17, and the printing-services tender closes on August 20, it said. The contract will initially remain valid for two years and can be extended for two additional one-year periods, subject to satisfactory performance, mutual consent and approval of the competent authority. The tender requires a Rs 15 lakh deposit and wil

Neet-UG counselling to begin on Aug 4, academic session from Sep 8

The first round of counselling for admission to MBBS and other undergraduate medical courses under the All India Quota (AIQ) will begin on August 4 and the academic session for the 2026-27 batch will commence on September 8, according to the Medical Counselling Committee. According to the counselling schedule released by the committee, the first round of AIQ counselling for deemed and central universities will be held from August 4 to August 17. The last date for joining will be August 22. The second round of AIQ counselling will take place from August 24 to September 2, followed by the third round from September 10 to September 18. The stray vacancy round is scheduled from September 28 to October 3. The last date for joining after the stray vacancy round is October 10. For state quota seats, the first round of counselling will be conducted from August 13 to August 22, with candidates required to join by August 28. The second round will be held from August 31 to September 8 and the

Neet-UG counselling to begin on Aug 4, academic session from Sep 8

The first round of counselling for admission to MBBS and other undergraduate medical courses under the All India Quota (AIQ) will begin on August 4 and the academic session for the 2026-27 batch will commence on September 8, according to the Medical Counselling Committee. According to the counselling schedule released by the committee, the first round of AIQ counselling for deemed and central universities will be held from August 4 to August 17. The last date for joining will be August 22. The second round of AIQ counselling will take place from August 24 to September 2, followed by the third round from September 10 to September 18. The stray vacancy round is scheduled from September 28 to October 3. The last date for joining after the stray vacancy round is October 10. For state quota seats, the first round of counselling will be conducted from August 13 to August 22, with candidates required to join by August 28. The second round will be held from August 31 to September 8 and the

Best of BS Opinion: What the Gen Z protests tell us beyond the headlines

Today's Best of BS Opinion examines Gen Z protests, elite alienation, Krishna Byre Gowda's governance record in Karnataka, and the risks of performative brand activism

Power lessons from antiquity: What ancient India taught about public office

Long before public service commissions or ethics committees, Arthashastra confronted a timeless question about who deserves public power

Explained: What are the SOPs regarding use of pellet guns in India?

The Supreme Court said pellet guns can be used only in exceptional cases under existing rules. Here is what the SOPs say about their use