The Centre has faced criticism over alleged discrepancies in competitive exams. As a result, the National Testing Agency (NTA) Director General Subodh Singh has been reassigned, and the investigation into irregularities in the medical entrance exam NEET-UG has been handed over to the CBI. The Education Ministry has established a seven-member panel, led by former ISRO chief K Radhakrishnan, to review the agency’s functioning and suggest exam reforms. The NEET-PG entrance exam has been postponed, making it the fourth entrance exam to be impacted recently.
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan emphasized the commitment to transparent, tamper-free, and error-free examinations. He stated that a panel has been formed for exam reforms, strict actions have been taken against officials, and the case has been transferred to the CBI. The minister has also assured that students’ interests will be protected at all costs.
The opposition, particularly the Congress, criticized the government, alleging that the education system has been “ruined” under the current administration.
According to officials, NTA DG Subodh Kumar Singh has been placed on “compulsory wait” in the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) until further orders. Meanwhile, the Chairman and Managing Director of the India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO), Pradeep Singh Kharola, has been given additional charge of the NTA until a regular incumbent is appointed.
Allegations of irregularities, cheating, impersonation, and malpractices in the NEET-UG conducted on May 5 have prompted a comprehensive investigation by the CBI. The Union Health Ministry has also postponed the NEET-PG entrance exam as a precautionary measure due to recent allegations about the integrity of competitive exams.
Following the postponement of the June edition of the Joint Council of Scientific and Industrial Research and UGC-NET, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan clarified that the decision was due to logistical reasons and not due to a leak of the CSIR-NET paper.
Furthermore, the UGC-NET exam, which took place on Wednesday, was cancelled the next day due to inputs indicating a compromise in the exam’s integrity. This matter is also under CBI investigation.
Additionally, Bihar Police has detained six more people from Jharkhand’s Deoghar district in connection with the alleged NEET paper leak. Last month, Bihar Police’s Economic Offences Unit arrested 13 individuals, including prime suspect Sikandar Yadavendu, in connection with the alleged paper leak. The EOU is considering the possibility of conducting narco analysis and brain mapping tests on the accused and has hinted at the potential involvement of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in investigating the money laundering aspect.
Finally, a fresh plea has been filed in the Supreme Court, requesting the CBI and the ED to investigate the alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG.
