NEW DELHI: The leaking of question papers of exams such as UGC-NET and NEET has raised concerns about their integrity.
The controversy surrounding entrance-level exams, UGC-NET, and NEET has deepened as the Ministry of Education announced the cancellation of the University Grants Commission-National Eligibility Test (UGC-NET) on Wednesday night, just a day after lakhs of students took the test nationwide. This decision has exacerbated the ongoing issues related to the NEET-UG exam.
What Is The UGC-NET Exam?
The UGC-NET, or National Eligibility Test, is crucial for determining the eligibility of Indian nationals for roles as assistant professors and junior research fellows in universities and colleges across India. Additionally, it serves as a qualification test for those seeking admission to PhD programs.
This exam also plays a significant role in determining the eligibility for various fellowships, including those under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment and the Ministry of Minority Affairs. According to the official website of UGC-NET, candidates aspiring for these fellowships must apply and qualify through this test.
The National Testing Agency (NTA) typically conducts the exam in a computer-based test (CBT) format, held twice a year in June and December. While the NTA has administered the test in this format since 2018, this year’s exam was conducted in a pen-and-paper format to mark its presence in rural centers too.
The Ministry’s abrupt cancellation has left students and educational stakeholders in a state of confusion, adding further complexity to the ongoing debates over entrance examinations in the country. Ujjwal Singh, an aspirant who appeared for the exam in Delhi, said, “First, in scorching heat, the exam was conducted and just a day after the exam, we got to know that it was compromised. In this case, NTA has made a good decision to cancel it, as this exam decides the future of many aspirants and should be transparent. Although we will have to sit for re-examination, in the larger interest of the aspirants, it is a good decision.”
According to some reports, the UGC-NET paper was leaked 48 hours ahead of the exam and sold on the dark web and encrypted social media platforms for Rs 6 lakh. Some users on the social media platform Telegram alleged that the coaching institutions were selling the paper for as small an amount as Rs 5,000 on Telegram. However, the authorities were aware of it, but once the paper was completed on Tuesday and the same papers that were circulating were found to be matching, the decision to cancel the exam was taken for the greater interest of the students appearing for it. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has started probing the UGC NET paper leak after the cancellation of the exam. The case against “unknown accused persons” has been registered on the basis of a complaint filed by the Secretary of Education Department. “A case has been registered against unknown persons for compromising the integrity of the UGC NET exam conducted on June 18,” the federal agency said in a statement.
This has prompted NEET aspirants to demand the cancellation of the NEET exam, as it is also believed to be compromised.
What Is NEET Exam And The Controversy Surrounding It?
The National Eligibility-Cum-Entrance Test (NEET) is a standardised exam in India conducted for students seeking admission to undergraduate medical courses (MBBS/BDS) and some postgraduate courses (MD/MS) in both government and private medical colleges.
Administered by the National Testing Agency (NTA), NEET serves as a single entrance test for these courses, ensuring a uniform selection process across the country. It has been in controversy since its inception. Various allegations have been made against it, like the paper leak and regional disparity for favouring students from certain educational boards and regions, particularly those proficient in English, thereby disadvantaging students from rural areas or those who studied in regional languages.
Four individuals have been arrested in Bihar for their involvement in leaking the NEET question paper. The suspects include three exam candidates—Anurag Yadav, Nitish Kumar, and Amit Anand—and Sikandar Yadavendu, a junior engineer at the Danapur municipal council. The arrests were made following confessions in which the suspects admitted to receiving and memorising the leaked question paper. This incident has raised serious concerns about the integrity of the NEET-UG 2024 examination process.
Burnt remains of the question paper and answer sheet were found at his residence, providing solid evidence against him. He admitted to having been involved in similar leaks. All the four accused confessed to receiving the question paper a day before the exam and using it to memorise the answers. They stated to the police that the exact questions appeared in the exam the following day. The Union Education Ministry has requested a report from the Bihar Police’s Economic Offences Unit regarding these irregularities in the NEET exam.
What Does Anti-paper leak Law say?
The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, has come to the limelight amid allegations of irregularities in examinations conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA). The Act aims to curb unfair practices in public exams conducted by bodies such as the Union Public Service Commission, Staff Selection Commission, Railway Recruitment Board, National Testing Agency (NTA), Institute of Banking Personnel Selection, and other Union government departments. The Act addresses offences like unauthorised access or leakage of question papers or answer keys and providing assistance to candidates during exams. Penalties for these offences range from three to five years in jail and fines up to Rs10 lakh.
Service providers found guilty of unauthorised changes to exam centers or premature disclosure of confidential information can face fines up to Rs 1 crore. The Act imposes harsher penalties for organised examination crimes, with imprisonment of five to ten years and minimum fines of Rs 1 crore. Institutions found guilty may have their properties attached, and the costs of the examination may be recovered from them.
Investigations under this Act are to be conducted by officers of the deputy superintendent of police or assistant commissioner of police rank. Offences include conducting fake exams, issuing fraudulent admit cards, or offering letters for cheating or monetary gain, and all such offences are cognisable, non-bailable and non-compoundable. The Central Government can refer cases to a central investigating agency to ensure thorough and prompt handling. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has been assigned to investigate the UGC-NET 2024 exam cancellation under this Act.