NEET UG 2024 Scandal: CBI Launches Aggressive Probe, 17 Bihar Students Barred from Re-test

NEET UG 2024 Scandal Major Crackdown by CBI

Story in Brief

– On May 5, 24 lakh students took the NEET UG 2024 exam.
– Allegations of cheating and a paper leak emerged.
– The Central Government directed the CBI to investigate the suspected irregularities.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has initiated an investigation into reported irregularities surrounding the recent National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET-UG), which is the gateway for undergraduate medical admissions.

“CBI has begun taking over additional cases related to the examination for a thorough investigation,” stated an agency official.

This move follows shortly after the Economic Offences Unit of Bihar police apprehended six more individuals in Deoghar, Jharkhand, in connection with the alleged NEET-UG paper leak.

Key Suspect Identified in NEET UG 2024 Paper Leak

Previously, authorities had detained 13 individuals, including four candidates. They believe that Sanjeev Mukhiya from Nalanda, Bihar, is the mastermind behind the paper leak scheme. Mukhiya had been arrested earlier for allegedly leaking the constable recruitment exam paper for the Bihar Public Service Commission back in 2016.

In a separate incident, Gujarat police are investigating allegations of cheating at a NEET examination center in Godhra, where six individuals have been arrested. This case is also expected to be handed over to the CBI for further investigation.

NEET UG 2024 and Exam Integrity Challenges

This year’s NEET UG 2024 exam, held on May 5 by the National Testing Agency (NTA) for over 23 lakh students, has faced numerous controversies. Students reported irregularities in the rankings, leading to a Supreme Court decision to approve a re-test for more than 1,500 students who had previously received “grace marks” to compensate for lost time during the exam.

Opposition parties have criticized the Union government for mishandling the entrance examinations, impacting millions of students.

Amidst concerns about the integrity of competitive exams, the Union government made a last-minute decision to postpone the NEET-PG exam, which was set for Sunday. Last week, following a complaint from the Education Ministry and inputs from the Ministry of Home Affairs, the CBI registered a case against unknown individuals for allegedly compromising the integrity of the University Grants Commission-National Eligibility Test (UGC NET), also conducted by the NTA. Consequently, the UGC-NET, which is essential for Ph.D. admissions and assistant professor eligibility, was canceled.

On Wednesday, Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan acknowledged the systemic failures of the NTA, attributing the repeated paper leaks to institutional shortcomings. As a result, the chief of the NTA has been removed from their position.

The decision to transfer the investigation to the CBI followed reports of cheating, impersonation, and other unethical practices in the NEET-UG 2024 exam.

Conspiracy to be Handled By CBI

The decision to hand over the investigation to the CBI was made following reports of cheating, impersonation, and other irregularities during the exam.

In an official statement, the Ministry of Education announced, “Allegations of irregularities, cheating, impersonation, and malpractices have surfaced regarding the NEET examination. To ensure transparency in the examination process, the Ministry has decided to assign the investigation to the CBI after a thorough review.”

The NEET UG 2024 exam took place on May 5 at 4,750 centers nationwide, with approximately 24 lakh candidates participating. The results were released on June 4, ten days earlier than anticipated.

Shortly after, reports emerged of a NEET-UG paper leak in Bihar. Patna Police arrested seven individuals, including four candidates, in connection with the incident. The arrested candidates admitted in written confessions that they had received the question paper a day before the exam.

A political controversy quickly unfolded, with the Opposition calling for a re-conduct of the NEET medical entrance exam.

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan responded, stating that the government would not jeopardize the futures of thousands of aspirants due to a few “isolated incidents.”

NEET UG 2024 Controversy: Maharashtra ATS Detains Two Teachers in Paper Leak Scandal

Following Bihar, Maharashtra has become the second state to detain individuals in connection with the NEET medical entrance exam paper leak.

The Nanded Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) has detained Sanjay Tukaram Jadhav and Jalil Umar Khan Pathan due to their suspected involvement in the NEET paper leak scandal, according to Moneycontrol. Both are teachers at zilla parishad schools and also run private coaching institutes in Latur.

Meanwhile, in Bihar, the Patna Police have apprehended four individuals for leaking NEET UG exam papers. Authorities are now delving into ‘solver gangs’ that sell leaked papers and provide proxy candidates for various exams.

To thoroughly investigate the alleged irregularities in the NEET UG Exam 2024, the CBI has taken over the case. The NEET UG exam for MBBS and other medical courses took place on May 5 at 4,750 centers nationwide, with nearly 24 lakh students participating. The results, initially expected on June 14, were announced ahead of schedule on June 4.

The controversy began with allegations of paper leaks and the awarding of grace marks to over 1,500 students, sparking protests across several states.

In response, the Centre has taken decisive actions, including the removal of Subodh Kumar Singh, the Director General of the National Testing Agency. Furthermore, a high-level committee of experts has been established to ensure the transparency of future examinations. This committee, chaired by Dr. K. Radhakrishnan, former chairman of ISRO and IIT Kanpur, will oversee the fair and transparent conduct of exams.

 

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