The Supreme Court of India has questioned the National Board of Examinations (NBE) over its refusal to disclose NEET-PG question papers and answer keys. The Court said it saw “no logic” in maintaining secrecy after the examination ends.
According to the Bench, transparency directly affects the rights of thousands of medical aspirants. Therefore, examination authorities must justify any departure from open evaluation practices.
Plea Challenges NBE’s Non-Disclosure Policy
The issue arose from a plea challenging NBE’s long-standing non-disclosure policy. The petitioner argued that withholding question papers and answer keys prevents candidates from assessing their performance.
As a result, candidates cannot identify errors or seek corrective remedies. The plea contended that such opacity undermines fairness and accountability in the examination process.
Court Seeks Justification From Exam Authority
During the hearing, the Supreme Court asked why NBE treats NEET-PG differently from other competitive examinations. In many exams, authorities routinely publish question papers and answer keys.
The Bench observed that transparency in evaluation forms a core element of procedural fairness. Therefore, an examining body must offer strong reasons if it chooses secrecy.
Concerns Over Accountability and Candidate Rights
The Court noted that non-disclosure denies candidates several important rights. These include the ability to verify correct evaluation and challenge demonstrable errors.
Moreover, secrecy prevents candidates from ensuring uniformity in marking. It also weakens confidence in the integrity of the selection process.
The Court stressed that administrative convenience cannot override legitimate expectations of transparency.
Broader Implications for Competitive Examinations
The Court’s observations may affect other high-stakes competitive examinations conducted by statutory and autonomous bodies. The scrutiny reflects a judicial push towards greater openness in exam conduct and evaluation.
The matter remains under consideration. The Court is expected to examine whether NBE’s policy meets constitutional standards of fairness and reasonableness.
Why This Case Matters
NEET-PG determines admission to postgraduate medical courses across India. Each year, it shapes the careers of thousands of doctors.
In this context, the Supreme Court’s intervention sends a clear message. Transparency in public examinations is not optional. It is essential to preserve trust in merit-based selection.
