Fast-track NEET paper-leak trials in four states

The Central government is fast-tracking prosecutions for NEET-UG and related examination malpractices by applying the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, which came into force on June 21, 2024. It plans to set up special fast-track courts in the Bombay, Calcutta, Delhi, and Madhya Pradesh High Court jurisdictions to hear cases daily and expedite justice, including NEET and other central-exam leaks such as UPSC, SSC, and RRBs. So far, about four FIRs have been registered under the new law in connection with NEET leak cases, with cases spanning Aurangabad, Nagpur, Kolkata, and multiple states, and two FIRs lying under the Bombay High Court’s jurisdiction. The move follows Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s pledge of strict action against paper leaks and is designed to ensure swift prosecution and greater accountability in national-level entrances administered by the NTA. Convictions under the Act carry a minimum penalty of five years’ imprisonment and a Rs 10 lakh fine, underscoring the stringent new framework for tackling examination unfair means. Parallel developments include ongoing CBI activity tied to the 2026 NEET leak case, signaling a broader push to disrupt the paper-leak network and deliver prompt judicial outcomes for affected students and families.