NEET paper leak impact: CISF to guard NTA premises, stricter monitoring for confidential areas

Officials announced today, 27 September 2026, that the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) will now guard the premises of the National Testing Agency (NTA) in New Delhi. This decision follows a recent NEET paper leak, administrative lapses, and a reprimand from the Supreme Court regarding the NTA’s security protocols.

The NTA has moved its operations to a new office in the Government of India Press Building on Minto Road, New Delhi, where stricter monitoring for confidential areas will be implemented. These changes aim to enhance the integrity and security of examination processes, which have been under scrutiny after nationwide student protests and a high-profile resignation.

NTA Relocates and Enhances Physical Security

The National Testing Agency has shifted its operations from its previous office in Okhla to a new dedicated space within the Government of India Press Building on Minto Road. Over 55,000 square feet of office space has been allotted to the NTA, encompassing the fifth floor and parts of the fourth and sixth floors of the building. Confidential and sensitive operations have been moved to this new location over the past month.

The Home Ministry has approved CISF security cover for the NTA premises. A total of 39 CISF personnel have been deployed to manage security, access-control, and screening measures. Their responsibilities include frisking individuals using X-ray baggage screening machines and Door Frame Metal Detectors (DFMDs) at all entry and exit points, as well as monitoring and regulating access to confidential areas.

Addressing Past Security Lapses and Implementing New Protocols

The move and enhanced security measures come after a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) chargesheet identified three subject experts as primary sources of the recent NEET paper leak. The CBI report highlighted significant security vulnerabilities at the NTA’s previous office, noting an absence of checking or frisking of experts during entry or exit from confidential sections. This allowed experts to take briefs from question papers using small chits made from plain sheets provided for rough work and translation.

Also, the CBI report noted the absence of a dedicated CCTV live feed monitoring control room in the previous NTA office. In response, confidential areas in the new building have been demarcated for strict monitoring of movement and operations. Arrangements are being made for strict access controls, encryption standards, immutable logging, and tamper-evident storage for examination-critical workloads.

Cybersecurity and Ongoing Reforms

Beyond physical security, the NTA is focusing on bolstering its cybersecurity framework. Security readiness reviews of examination-supporting systems will be conducted before each examination cycle. These reviews will involve coordination with the NTA’s technology function and test-security function to assess the technical security of examination day workflows, including biometric authentication, face-matching, CCTV systems, and live monitoring infrastructure.

The NTA is also working on maintaining examination-specific cyber-incident response readiness on examination days, which includes elevated Security Operations Center (SOC) monitoring and rapid-response capability. A dedicated Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) has been designated, with the selection process for the General Manager and CISO position currently at an advanced stage. Independent third-party cyber-security audits by CERT-In and C-DAC empanelled agencies will continue to be undertaken.

Context of Previous Incidents and Ongoing Investigations

The National Testing Agency (NTA), established in 2017 under the Ministry of Education, has faced repeated scrutiny regarding examination integrity. A NEET-UG paper leak earlier this year, prior to September 27, 2026, sparked nationwide student protests and led to the resignation of then Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Following this, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the formation of a high-powered task force, headed by Nandan Nilekani, to recommend reforms for a leakproof examination system; this panel has not yet submitted its report.

A similar NEET paper leak in 2024 also prompted the creation of a high-level committee, chaired by former ISRO Chairman K. Radhakrishnan. This committee made detailed recommendations for enhanced security controls across various examination-critical systems, including question paper systems, candidate registration, and result systems. Despite these prior incidents and recommendations, the Supreme Court reprimanded the NTA following the 2026 paper leak, stating that “it has not learnt its lessons.”

Further reading

• Ladakh MBBS/BDS 2026-27: Apply in 7 days with NEET ranking via NIC portal
• NEET UG 2026 round 3 registration begins for Jharkhand state quota seats, apply by 24 September
• NEET UG application form: eligibility, dates and how to apply Next step
• CUET 2027: Apply for integrated BA/BBA LLB admissions. Dates unannounced
• Ladakh Central Pool MBBS/BDS: Apply by Sep 10 for 2026-27 single merit list Applications open
• NEET UG: complete exam guide

Written by Nishit Kumar

Nishit Kumar is a senior EdTech industry leader with over a decade of experience in building and scaling education platforms, shaping their product, content, and growth strategy. At FindMyCollege, Nishit oversees content and editorial strategy, guiding topic selection and content frameworks to ensure accuracy, relevance, and student-first value across the website.

View all posts →