The CBI filed an FIR on Sunday regarding alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG medical entrance exam held on May 5. The Union education ministry referred the case to the CBI in response to protests and legal actions by students demanding an investigation into claims of paper leaks.
The ministry’s complaint, now part of the FIR, alleged that “certain isolated incidents” occurred in a few states during the exam. The CBI has formed special teams to investigate cases of question paper leaks in Godhra and Patna, with plans to take over the investigation from the state police in Gujarat and Bihar.
After demands from protesting students, the ministry requested the CBI to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the alleged irregularities, including conspiracy, cheating, impersonation, breach of trust, and destruction of evidence. The CBI will also look into the role of public servants involved in the exam conduct and the larger conspiracy. A fresh case has been registered against unidentified persons under IPC sections 120-B (criminal conspiracy) and 420 (cheating) among others.
The alleged irregularities have led to protests, litigation, and a political dispute. Ten aspirants have approached the Supreme Court, seeking directions for CBI and ED investigations, while others have sought cancellation of the NEET-UG 2024 exam and a court-monitored investigation.
The National Testing Agency (NTA) conducted the exam at 4,750 centers in 571 cities, including 14 cities abroad, with over 23 lakh candidates. Furthermore, controversy arose over grace marks awarded to students at six centers to compensate for lost time. The government later decided to scrap the grace marks and offer a retest to 1,563 students.
NTA Director General Subodh Singh was replaced, and a seven-member panel headed by former ISRO chief K Radhakrishnan was set up to review the agency’s functioning and recommend exam reforms. Additionally, the NEET-PG entrance exam was postponed.