UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Plea seeks SC direction to restructure or replace NTA

Q1. Which one of the following most accurately describes the National Testing Agency (NTA)?

  • A. A statutory regulator of higher education constituted under a dedicated Act of Parliament passed in 2017
  • B. An autonomous, self-sustained society registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860, set up to conduct entrance examinations for higher educational institutions
  • C. A constitutional body established under Article 324 to superintend all national-level examinations
  • D. A specialised examination wing operating within the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE)

Q2. The National Testing Agency was established in which year and functions under which Ministry?

  • A. 2015, under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
  • B. 2017, under the Ministry of Education (then the Ministry of Human Resource Development)
  • C. 2018, under the University Grants Commission
  • D. 2017, under the Ministry of Science and Technology

Q3. In its 2026 Supreme Court petition, FAIMA sought a high-powered monitoring committee to oversee the NEET-UG re-examination. How many members did this proposed committee comprise?

  • A. Three
  • B. Five
  • C. Seven
  • D. Nine

Q4. The Centre-ordered probe into the alleged NEET-UG 2026 question-paper leak was entrusted to which investigating agency?

  • A. The National Investigation Agency (NIA), which alone handles all national examination frauds
  • B. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)
  • C. The Enforcement Directorate (ED)
  • D. The Central Vigilance Commission (CVC)

Q5. While conducting nationwide searches in the NEET-UG 2026 paper-leak case, how many persons did the CBI initially arrest?

  • A. Three
  • B. Five
  • C. Eight
  • D. Ten

Q6. The CBI claimed to have cracked the NEET-UG 2026 leak with the arrest of its alleged mastermind ('kingpin'). Who was this individual?

  • A. Subodh Kumar Singh, the removed NTA Director General
  • B. P.V. Kulkarni, a Pune-based chemistry lecturer
  • C. Vineet Joshi, the first Director General of the NTA
  • D. Tanvi Dubey, the advocate for the petitioner

Q7. Consider the following statements regarding the NEET-UG 2026 re-examination: 1. It was conducted on 21 June 2026. 2. It was held across 5,440 centres within India. 3. It was conducted in computer-based (online) mode. 4. It was held in 551 Indian cities. Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. It was conducted on 21 June 2026.
  2. It was held across 5,440 centres within India.
  3. It was conducted in computer-based (online) mode.
  4. It was held in 551 Indian cities.
  • A. 1 and 3
  • B. 2 and 4
  • C. 1, 2 and 4
  • D. 3 only

Q8. The NEET-UG 2026 re-examination held on 21 June 2026 was conducted by which body?

  • A. The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE)
  • B. The National Testing Agency (NTA)
  • C. The National Medical Commission (NMC)
  • D. The University Grants Commission (UGC)

Q9. When the Supreme Court remarked that the NTA had 'not learnt lessons' from an earlier leak, it pointed to a recurring pattern. Counting both editions cited in the 2026 controversy, in how many NEET-UG examination years has a CBI probe into paper-leak irregularities been ordered?

  • A. One
  • B. Two
  • C. Three
  • D. Four

Q10. Consider the following statements comparing the NEET-UG 2024 and 2026 episodes: 1. The NEET-UG 2024 irregularities were investigated by the CBI. 2. The NEET-UG 2026 examination was conducted on 3 May 2026 and later cancelled. 3. The 2026 leak led to the re-examination being conducted entirely online for the first time. 4. Following the 2026 leak, the Education Minister announced NEET-UG would move to computer-based testing from 2027. Which of the above is/are NOT correct?

  1. The NEET-UG 2024 irregularities were investigated by the CBI.
  2. The NEET-UG 2026 examination was conducted on 3 May 2026 and later cancelled.
  3. The 2026 leak led to the re-examination being conducted entirely online for the first time.
  4. Following the 2026 leak, the Education Minister announced NEET-UG would move to computer-based testing from 2027.
  • A. 1 and 2
  • B. 3 only
  • C. 2 and 4
  • D. 1, 3 and 4

Q11. Within the National Testing Agency's governance architecture, policy matters are decided by which organ?

  • A. A Board of Governors chaired ex-officio by the Union Education Minister
  • B. The General Body, comprising 17 members drawn from educationists and Centre/State Government nominees
  • C. An Executive Committee headed by the Chairman of the CBSE
  • D. A Governing Council nominated by the University Grants Commission