The Union Education Ministry has canceled UGC-NET 2024 due to concerns over integrity issues. Following alleged irregularities, the matter has been referred to the CBI for investigation. Additionally, a detailed report has been requested from Bihar Police’s Economic Offences Unit regarding alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG 2024 exam in Patna, with further actions pending based on its findings.
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DELHI: The Union Education Ministry on Wednesday(June 19), ordered the cancellation of the UGC-NET 2024 following inputs suggesting that the exam’s integrity might have been compromised. This decision follows a series of alleged irregularities, prompting the ministry to hand over the matter to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for a thorough probe.
The ministry has also sought a detailed report from the Bihar Police’s Economic Offences Unit regarding the alleged irregularities in the conduct of the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET-UG) 2024 in Patna. Further actions will be taken based on the findings of this report.
This year, the National Eligibility Test (NET) broke from tradition by being conducted in pen-and-paper format on a single day, June 18, with an unprecedented 11 lakh students registering for the exam. The UGC-NET plays a vital role in assessing the eligibility of Indian nationals for junior research fellowships, assistant professor positions, and admission to PhD programs in Indian universities and colleges.
Reports of alleged exam irregularities have surfaced months after the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha passed an ‘anti-cheating’ bill aimed at curbing fraudulent practices such as leaking exam papers in government recruitment exams. In February, President Droupadi Murmu signed the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Bill into law.
The Centre introduced the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, to address issues of leaks, malpractices, and organized cheating in recruitment examinations like UPSC, SSC, and entrance tests such as NEET, JEE, and CUET.
Punishments Under the Public Examinations Act
The new law stipulates that those caught using unfair means during exams will face imprisonment for three to five years and a fine of up to Rs.10 lakh. For organized crimes involving exam authorities, service providers, or other institutions, the punishment extends to five to ten years of imprisonment and a minimum fine of Rs.1 crore.
The law also empowers agencies to attach and forfeit properties of institutions involved in such crimes to recover examination costs proportionately. Additionally, an officer of the rank of deputy superintendent of police or assistant commissioner of police will investigate complaints under this Act.
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Union Minister Jitendra Singh elaborated on the necessity of this bill, stating-
“In recent times, several states have been forced to cancel or delay the announcement of public examination results due to the detrimental influence of unfair tactics employed by antisocial and criminal elements. If not effectively curbed, these unfair practices will continue to endanger the futures and aspirations of countless young individuals in our country. Organized groups and mafia elements have been identified in many cases, employing tactics such as solver gangs, impersonation, and leaking of exam papers. The Bill’s primary objective is to discourage such nefarious activities.”
The government has emphasized the importance of maintaining the integrity of public examinations, especially in light of the NEET and UGC-NET controversies. The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, which was notified by the Ministry Of Personnel, Public Grievances, and Pensions, includes several stringent provisions:
- Imprisonment and Fines: At least three years of imprisonment for those caught using unfair means, extendable to five years, with fines up to Rs.10 lakh.
- Service Providers: Testing agencies face fines up to Rs.1 crore and recovery of examination costs, along with a four-year ban from conducting public exams.
- Senior Management: Senior management involved in unfair means will face three to ten years of imprisonment and fines up to Rs.1 crore.
- Proof of Innocence: The law exempts individuals who can prove the offence was committed without their knowledge and that they tried to prevent it.
- Organized Crime: Organized crime by individuals or service providers will result in five to ten years of imprisonment and fines of at least Rs.1 crore.
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The National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) and University Grants Commission-National Eligibility Test (UGC-NET), crucial exams for medical and academic careers in India, have been embroiled in controversy. Students have taken to the streets to protest the irregularities. Approximately 24 lakh aspirants appeared for the NEET exam on May 5, but significant irregularities were reported following the results announcement on June 4. At least four individuals have confessed to leaking NEET exam papers in Bihar, further fueling the controversy.
