NEET row: Reasons, re-exam, and postponement details for UG, PG

NEET row: In the latest development to the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) Undergraduate (UG) Examination 2024, the Ministry of Education handed over the investigation of alleged irregularities to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). This step follows reports of cheating, impersonation, and other malpractices during the examination.

"Ministry of Education entrusts the matter of alleged irregularities in NEET (UG) Examination 2024 to CBI for the comprehensive investigation," the tweet read.

Ministry of Education entrusts the matter of alleged irregularities in NEET (UG) Examination 2024 to CBI for the comprehensive investigation. pic.twitter.com/KO95a5a8nD

— Ministry of Education (@EduMinOfIndia) June 22, 2024

The NEET (UG) Examination, conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) on May 5, 2024, in the traditional OMR (Pen and Paper) mode, has come under scrutiny after certain irregularities were brought to light. In response, the Ministry of Education undertook a thorough review and decided that a comprehensive investigation by the CBI is necessary to uphold the sanctity of the examination process.

To bolster the efforts against such malpractices, the Central Government has enacted the Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024. This legislation aims to prevent unfair means in public examinations and addresses related issues, reinforcing the Government's commitment to maintaining the integrity of these vital assessments.

The Ministry of Education has emphasised its unwavering commitment to protecting students' interests and ensuring fair conduct in examinations. Officials have stated that any individual or organisation found to be involved in these malpractices will face the strictest action under the law.

The decision to involve the CBI underscores the Government's dedication to transparency and fairness in educational assessments, ensuring that the NEET (UG) 2024 remains a credible and trustworthy examination for all aspiring medical students.

NEET row explained

A fresh plea has been filed in the Supreme Court seeking directions to the CBI and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to investigate alleged irregularities in the medical entrance exam NEET-UG held on May 5.

The petition, filed by 10 students who had appeared for the exam, has sought a direction from Bihar Police to expedite the investigation in the case and file a report before the apex court.

"The petitioners are fully aware of the ramifications of the cancellation of the examination but there is no other alternative. The NEET UG Examination of 2024 had many other irregularities, in particular, the gross negligence on the part of the authorities to make the question papers available to the candidates on time. In some places, the wrong set of question papers was distributed and later recalled," the plea said.

The top court had earlier sought responses from the Centre, the NTA, and others on a slew of petitions, including those seeking scrapping of the NEET-UG 2024 exam and a court-monitored probe, amid mounting outrage over alleged irregularities in conducting the all-India medical entrance test.

The apex court had also stayed further proceedings on similar pleas pending before different high courts.

The top court, however, had made it clear that it would not stay the counselling process.

The examination was held on May 5 across 4,750 centres and around 24 lakh candidates appeared. The results were expected to be declared on June 14 but were announced on June 4, apparently because the evaluation of the answer sheets was completed earlier.

The allegations of irregularities have led to protests in several cities and sparring between rival political parties.

As many as 67 students scored a perfect 720, unprecedented in the NTA's history, with six from a centre in Haryana's Faridabad figuring in the list, raising suspicions about irregularities. It has been alleged that grace marks contributed to 67 students sharing the top rank.

The NEET-UG examination is conducted by the NTA for admissions to MBBS, BDS, AYUSH and other related courses in government and private institutions across the country.

The NTA, which conducted the NEET-UG exams, is facing criticism over alleged irregularities in the exams. This resulted in several protests across the country, with protestors and political parties demanding to disband the NTA.

Following the criticism, the Centre on Saturday removed NTA Director General Subodh Kumar Singh from his post and put him on "compulsory wait" in the Department of Personnel and Training.

Further, the Ministry of Education constituted a high-level committee of experts to make recommendations on reforms in the mechanism of the examination process, improvements in data security protocols, and the functioning of the NTA.

The seven-member committee, led by ISRO former chairman Dr K. Radhakrishnan, will submit its report to the ministry in the next two months.

"In order to ensure transparent, smooth and fair conduct of examinations through the National Testing Agency (NTA), the Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education constituted a High-Level Committee of Experts to make recommendations on reform in mechanism of examination process improvement in data security protocols and the structure and functioning of National Testing Agency," the ministry said.

Ministry of Education constitutes a High-Level Committee of Experts under the chairmanship of Dr. K. Radhakrishnan, Former Chairman, ISRO and Chairman BoG, IIT Kanpur, to ensure transparent, smooth and fair conduct of examinations.

The Committee to make recommendations on…

— Ministry of Education (@EduMinOfIndia) June 22, 2024

NEET PG examination postponed

Additionally, on Saturday, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare postponed the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test Postgraduate (NEET PG) Examination, which was scheduled to be held on Sunday (June 23), and said that a fresh date will be announced at the earliest.

"Taking into consideration, the recent incidents of allegations regarding the integrity of certain competitive examinations, the Ministry of Health has decided to undertake a thorough assessment of the robustness of the processes of the NEET-PG Entrance Examination, conducted by the National Board of Examination for medical students," the ministry statement read.

"It has accordingly been decided, as a precautionary measure, to postpone the NEET-PG Entrance Examination, scheduled to be held on June 23, 2024. The fresh date of this examination will be notified at the earliest," the ministry added.

"The Ministry of Health sincerely regrets the inconvenience caused to the students. This decision has been taken in the best interests of the students and to maintain the sanctity of the examination process," the health ministry said.

The National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) was fully prepared to conduct the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) Post-Graduate (PG) 2024.

Speaking exclusively to ANI, Dr Rakesh Sharma, OSD to President and Member, Governing Body, NBEMS said, "All eyes of the nation are on NBEMS for the conduct of NEET PG 2024 and we will not let down the hope of the nation. We will conduct the test through a computer-based test (CBT) mode throughout the country."

On Standard Operating Procedure (SOPs) for successfully delivering and maintaining transparency, he said, "NBEMS has robust SOPs for conducting exams because of which NBEMS has been successfully delivering the exams year after year. These SOPs are stringently followed. NBEMS has worked very hard on maintaining the secrecy of the question paper and there is no chance that there will be any leakage of the question paper."

He further said that NBEMS is supported by medical colleges, faculty, MoHFW, Flying Squads, Deans and Principals, Vice-chancellor and other agencies, "NBEMS has support from various medical colleges, faculty, MoHFW and other agencies. NBEMS has already briefed the chief secretaries and DGP of all states for safe and secure conduct of the exam."

(With inputs from agencies.)

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