The history of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) has been punctuated by high-stakes legal battles, administrative failures, and systemic irregularities long before the 2026 cancellation. From its very inception in 2013, the exam has navigated a turbulent path through the Indian judicial system and public scrutiny.
The Tumultuous Birth (2013–2016)
The introduction of NEET in 2013 as a single window for medical admissions was immediately met with fierce resistance from several states and private institutions. A three-judge bench of the Supreme Court initially quashed the exam, viewing it as an infringement on the rights of states and minority institutions. This led to its temporary replacement by the All India Pre-Medical Test (AIPMT) in 2014 and 2015 before it was finally reintroduced and mandated for all in 2016. This early era set the stage for a recurring tension between centralized testing and regional autonomy.
The 2024 Systemic Crisis
The most severe crisis prior to 2026 occurred in 2024, when allegations of massive paper leaks surfaced following the May 5 exam. An FIR in Patna revealed a gang allegedly charging candidates between ₹30 lakh and ₹50 lakh for question papers a day before the test. While the Supreme Court later acknowledged that over 150 students benefited from this leak, it notably ruled that the breach was not widespread enough to indicate a "systemic failure" justifying a nationwide re-exam.
The Grace Marks & Perfect Scores Row
Parallel to the 2024 leaks was a controversy involving "mathematically impossible" scores. A record 67 students achieved perfect marks, including several from the same center. The NTA attributed this to "grace marks" awarded for time loss and a controversial physics question based on an outdated NCERT textbook. Following intense public pressure and judicial scrutiny, the NTA eventually withdrew these marks and conducted a re-test for the affected 1,563 candidates.
Administrative Overreach and Reform
The 2024 irregularities led to unprecedented administrative consequences, including the removal of the NTA chief and a subsequent CBI investigation. This period highlighted a critical flaw in the agency's "normalization formula" and prompted the government to establish a high-level committee to overhaul the examination process. This era marked the beginning of a loss of public trust in the NTA, as citizens demanded more transparency from an agency managing the futures of millions.
Dignity and Conduct Controversies
Beyond paper leaks, NEET has often been criticized for its "draconian" security protocols that have repeatedly led to the humiliation of candidates. In several instances, most notably in Kerala, female candidates were allegedly forced to remove innerwear due to metal hooks setting off security scanners. These incidents sparked nationwide outrage and prompted legal debates on whether a "fair exam" can exist at the cost of an individual's personal dignity and fundamental right to privacy.
Logistical Nightmares and NEET-PG
The postgraduate (PG) version of the exam has not been exempt from controversy, frequently facing last-minute postponements and logistical failures. In 2024, NEET-PG was postponed just 12 hours before it was scheduled to begin as a "precautionary measure" amid the UG scandals. Furthermore, legal petitions have often highlighted "inconvenient" test city allocations that forced candidates to travel hundreds of miles at high costs, making the exam inaccessible for many.
The Rise of Student Advocacy
The persistent controversies have given rise to a new era of student-led advocacy, with educators and influencers like Alakh Pandey becoming "heroes" for medical aspirants. Their legal battles in the Supreme Court have forced the NTA to be more accountable and have brought issues like "inflation of marks" into the mainstream discourse. This shift has transformed NEET from a simple academic hurdle into a significant socio-political issue that defines the national conversation on education.
Conclusion: A Legacy of Fragility
Ultimately, the years preceding 2026 reveal a testing system that was struggling with its own success and scale. The transition from a state-based system to a centralized NTA model was designed to ensure merit, yet it frequently fell prey to sophisticated criminal networks and administrative rigidity. Each controversy, from the 2013 legal birth pangs to the 2024 systemic scandals, served as a precursor to the total collapse seen in 2026, proving that without radical structural reform, the sanctity of medical merit remains perpetually at risk.