The Bench hearing the matter, headed by Justice P. S. Narasimha, made it clear that the reforms recommended by the committee constituted to improve the NTA must not remain confined to paperwork and reports. The recommendations must be fully implemented on the ground.

During the hearing, Justice Narasimha said, “We will ourselves go to the permanent NTA office and see whether the system actually exists there! How it is functioning, how much manpower is there and what the other arrangements are like.”

The Supreme Court has directed the Joint Secretary coordinating with the high-powered committee to file a detailed affidavit before the court on the reforms carried out by the committee so far and the progress made.

The court has also ordered the NTA to upload the affidavit containing complete information on the reforms and progress on its official website. Students, state governments and lawyers can send their suggestions regarding reforms in the NTA to a designated email ID.

The Supreme Court has asked the NTA and the concerned parties to file a new and updated status report/affidavit. The court has made it clear that further hearing in the matter will take place only after the new affidavit is placed on record.

The proceedings put the implementation of NTA reforms under direct judicial scrutiny, with the Supreme Court indicating that it may verify the functioning of the agency’s systems on the ground rather than relying only on reports and documents.