NEW DELHI — The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) will provide security at the National Testing Agency’s (NTA) New Delhi office after the Union Health Ministry ordered heightened protection following the leak of the NEET UG 2026 examination paper. The deployment includes 39 CISF personnel and stricter monitoring of areas designated as ‘confidential’ within the agency’s premises, according to reports published on 29 September 2026.
Background of the leak
On 12 June 2026, the NTA confirmed that the NEET UG question paper for the June session had been accessed illegally before the scheduled exam. The agency’s internal audit identified a breach in the digital repository that stores the paper. The leak prompted the Union Health Ministry to direct an immediate security review of all NTA facilities handling examination material.
CISF deployment details
The Ministry of Home Affairs instructed the CISF to station a dedicated security team at the NTA’s New Delhi headquarters. Jagran Josh reported that the force will assign 39 personnel, including a senior officer to oversee operations. The CISF unit will conduct round‑the‑clock patrols, control entry points, and operate surveillance equipment in line with standard protocols for critical infrastructure.
Enhanced monitoring of confidential zones
In addition to the physical presence of CISF guards, the NTA will implement stricter access controls for rooms classified as ‘confidential’. These zones store examination papers, answer keys and related data. The agency will install biometric scanners at entry points and require dual‑authorization for any movement of documents. The monitoring system will log all access attempts and generate real‑time alerts to the CISF control room.
Response from NTA officials
NTA officials indicated that the security measures are intended to restore confidence among candidates and stakeholders. An official statement said the agency is cooperating fully with the CISF and has revised its internal security SOPs to align with the Ministry’s directives. The statement also noted that the agency will conduct a comprehensive audit of its digital infrastructure by the end of October.
Impact on upcoming examinations
The NEET UG 2026 December session, scheduled for 5 December, will be conducted under the new security framework. The Ministry of Health has affirmed that the additional safeguards will not affect the examination timetable. Candidates will be notified of any procedural changes through the official NTA portal.
Legal and regulatory context
The leak triggered an FIR under Section 420 of the Indian Penal Code for cheating and Section 5 of the Information Technology Act for unauthorized access to computer material. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has taken over the investigation, and the agency has been instructed to preserve all electronic logs for forensic analysis.
