‘Public confidence lost’: People’s Health Organisation seeks structural reforms after NEET paper leak

Mumbai: In the aftermath of the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak case, the People's Health Organisation (India) has called for urgent structural reforms in the medical exam process, stating that recurring controversies "have seriously undermined public confidence" in the system.

The organisation, acclaimed for its HIV interventions, further stated that the situation is bound to impact quality healthcare in the long run. "A system of such significance cannot be repeatedly vulnerable to controversy, uncertainty and loss of public trust," the organisation said.

There are 22 lakh medical aspirants annually vying for 1.3 lakh seats across 824 medical colleges. PHO founder Dr Ishwar Gilada said more than half of the available medical seats are in private institutions, where the cost of education can range from Rs 1 crore to Rs 2 crore.

The issue, he said, is this very commercialisation of medical education while govt seats still do not match the demand.

"For an aspirant, the incentive is in spending even a few lakhs on leaked papers to have a chance at a govt seat, rather than paying that much at a private medical college," said Dr Gilada.

The situation has triggered widespread public anger among young students.

PHO-India urged policymakers to consider adopting operational safeguards similar to those used in the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE), which distributes risk through multiple sessions, digital administration and normalisation processes.

It also called for a computerised examination system with district-level mock computer testing centres and prior digital familiarisation programmes.

"The current single-day, single-shot format places excessive pressure on students and creates nationwide vulnerability. Conducting NEET in multiple sessions would reduce stress and prevent localised disruptions from becoming national crises," the PHO said.