Paper Leaks Stem From Human Integrity Failures, Not Technology: IIT Madras Director

The leak of the NEET 2026 question paper originated at the stage where the paper was prepared by question setters rather than during printing or distribution, IIT Madras Director V Kamakoti has said, identifying human integrity rather than technological shortcomings as the primary challenge facing India's examination system. Kamakoti, who is a member of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's exam reforms task force, said the incident highlighted the need to strengthen trust and accountability among individuals entrusted with setting examination papers.

Explaining the sequence of events, Kamakoti said there was no indication that the question paper was compromised after it left the National Testing Agency (NTA) for printing, secure packaging and distribution to examination centres. According to him, the security protocols governing the later stages of the examination process functioned as intended. He said the breach instead occurred at the stage involving the preparation of the question paper, making it a case where the system's human element, rather than its technological infrastructure, was exploited.

Kamakoti noted that over the past decade, several national-level competitive examinations, including JEE Main, JEE Advanced and the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE), have adopted sophisticated security measures to safeguard examination papers. These measures include heavy encryption, air-gapped computer networks isolated from the internet, controlled access systems and multiple layers of verification throughout the printing and distribution process. Such mechanisms have significantly reduced the possibility of question papers being leaked after they enter the secured operational chain.

Also Read: Union Cabinet Approves Draft Bill To Increase Punishment For Paper Leaks

However, he pointed out that the NEET 2026 incident bypassed these safeguards because the compromise allegedly took place before the paper entered the protected printing and logistics network. "For any operation, there is a root of trust. The root of trust for any examination is the question paper setter," Kamakoti said, stressing that the credibility of an examination depends not only on technological safeguards but also on the integrity of the people involved in preparing its contents. He added that the biggest challenge before the exam reforms task force is identifying ways to strengthen this critical stage of the examination process. According to him, the principal concern now is ensuring human integrity, as no amount of technological protection can compensate if those entrusted with creating the question papers violate that trust.

The comments come amid the Centre's efforts to overhaul the country's examination system following widespread concerns over paper leaks and irregularities in several competitive examinations. The government constituted the exam reforms task force to identify vulnerabilities in the existing system and recommend measures to improve transparency, accountability and security. The panel has been examining every stage of the examination cycle, from question paper preparation to evaluation, to ensure that future examinations remain secure and credible.

Kamakoti's remarks also underline the distinction between administrative or technological failures and deliberate human misconduct. While digital security measures have evolved considerably, experts have increasingly argued that insider threats remain one of the most difficult risks to eliminate. Preventing such breaches requires stringent background verification, tighter access controls, enhanced monitoring of individuals involved in confidential processes and clearly defined accountability mechanisms. These safeguards are expected to form an important part of the task force's recommendations.

The inclusion of former Intelligence Bureau Director Tapan Deka in the exam reforms task force reflects the government's view that paper leaks are not merely isolated administrative lapses but may involve organised criminal networks operating for financial gain. His experience in intelligence and internal security is expected to help the panel examine the criminal dimensions of examination fraud and recommend strategies to detect and dismantle such networks. The task force is expected to propose a combination of institutional reforms, stricter legal provisions and improved operational protocols aimed at restoring public confidence in India's competitive examination system.

The NEET paper leak controversy has intensified scrutiny of the country's examination framework, with students, parents and educators demanding stronger safeguards to protect the integrity of high-stakes entrance tests. Kamakoti's observations reinforce the view that while advanced technology remains essential for securing examinations, lasting reforms will depend equally on strengthening institutional ethics, ensuring accountability among those entrusted with sensitive responsibilities and eliminating opportunities for insider-driven breaches.

Also Read: PM Modi Announces Fast-Track Courts For Paper Leaks, Rahul Gandhi Reacts