Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan acknowledged ‘some irregularities’ in the exam process. Previously, Pradhan assured action against those responsible but dismissed claims of a paper leak in the May exam. The minister’s admission comes amidst growing concerns over exam fairness.
Days after dismissing allegations of a paper leak in the controversial NEET-UG exam, which is taken by students aspiring to enter medical courses, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan stated that “some irregularities in NEET have come to light from specific locations.”
On June 15, Pradhan mentioned that aside from issues encountered at just six centers out of approximately 4,500, NEET conducted satisfactorily nationwide. He assured that action would be taken against anyone found responsible but reiterated that there were no allegations of a paper leak in the May exam.
Pradhan stated,
“Some irregularities have been identified in two locations. I assure both students and parents that the government is taking this matter very seriously. If senior NTA officials are found guilty, they will face strict consequences. Significant improvements are needed within the NTA. The government is deeply concerned, and no perpetrator will escape punishment; they will face the severest penalties,”
He added,
“All actions are being conducted under the supervision of the Supreme Court,”.The government is deeply concerned about this matter. No culprit will be spared; they will face the harshest punishment.
The Supreme Court currently reviewing several petitions related to the NEET-UG paper leak.
Government officials asserted that the misconduct mainly concentrated in Patna and that not many students from those centers were successful. On June 15, Bihar police issued notices to nine aspirants, including some from outside the state, requesting their participation in the investigation into the alleged exam paper leak. Four other aspirants from Bihar have already been arrested.
According to a report, two of the accused confessed to their involvement in the question paper leak on Sunday. The exam, administered by the National Testing Agency, had its results declared on June 4. Candidates quickly raised several issues, including inflated marks, the arbitrary awarding of grace marks, and more.
Protests erupted nationwide, with demonstrators demanding re-tests amid allegations of paper leaks and the awarding of grace marks, following the perfect scores of 67 students who achieved a full 720.
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The examination, conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA), took place on May 5 across 4,750 centres.
In parallel, multiple petitions have been submitted to the Supreme Court, seeking directives to annul the NEET-UG 2024 results and mandate a new examination.
In response to the Supreme Court’s observations, the NTA revoked the grace marks initially awarded to all 1,563 students. These students will undergo a re-test on June 23, with results to be announced on June 30.