Lok Sabha Question No. 993 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-02-10
Subject: Paper Leaks in NEET UG and UGC NET Exams
Ministry: EDUCATION
Asked by: Shri Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 993 ANSWERED ON: 10.02.2025

## 'Paper Leaks in NEET UG and UGC NET Exams'

993.  Shri Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has investigated the allegations of paper leaks in NEET UG and UGC NET Examination in 2024 and if so, the findings thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;

(b)  whether  accountability  has  been  fixed  for  such  paper  leaks  along  with  the  action  taken against responsible individuals or entities;

(c) the details of comprehensive list of all examinations conducted in the country during the last ten years where the integrity was compromised; and

(d) the details of the measures being implemented to prevent such paper leaks?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION (DR. SUKANTA MAJUMDAR)

(a) to (d): The NEET(UG) 2024 Examination was conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) on 5th May 2024. After the conduct of NEET(UG) 2024 Examination, certain cases of alleged irregularities/cheating/malpractices were reported. The Ministry of Education asked the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the entire gamut of alleged irregularities including conspiracy, cheating, breach of trust etc. with respect to the NEET(UG) 2024 Examination.

The  Hon'ble  Supreme  Court  in  WP(Civil)  335/2024  and  connected  matters  vide judgement dated 2nd August, 2024 has observed in para 84 that 'Hence, sufficient material is not on record at present which indicates a systemic leak or systemic malpractice of other forms. The material on record does not, at present, substantiate the allegation that there has been a widespread malpractice which compromised the integrity of the exam.' In compliance of the earlier order of the Supreme Court dated 23rd July, 2024 in the same case, the revised result of NEET(UG) 2024 Examination has been declared on 26th July, 2024.

As on 22.11.2024, the CBI has filed five charge sheets in NEET(UG) paper theft case against a total of 45 accused. Names of Candidates, who are beneficiaries of the paper theft / unfair means and names of the MBBS students who had solved the stolen paper or who had appeared  in  exam  as  impersonators  have  already  been  identified  and  sent  to  concerned authority for necessary action.

The UGC-NET June 2024 Examination conducted by NTA on 18.6.24 was cancelled after  receipt  of  certain  inputs  alleging  that  integrity  of  the  examination  may  have  been compromised.  The  matter  was  entrusted  to  CBI  and  the  examination  was  conducted  afresh between 21st August and 5th September, 2024. The Result of the examination has already been declared on 17th October 2024.

It is also mentioned that Competitive Examinations are conducted by different bodies for  recruitment  as  well  as  for  admission  to  Higher  Educational  Institutions.  Data  regarding examination specific incidents is not maintained centrally in the Ministry.

In  order  to  suggest  effective  measures  for  transparent,  smooth  and  fair  conduct  of examinations  by  NTA,  the  Ministry  of  Education  constituted  a  High-Level  Committee  of Experts (HLCE) on 22.06.2024 headed by Dr. K. Radhakrishnan, former Chairman ISRO and Chairman BoG, IIT Kanpur. The Committee has submitted its report on 21.10.2024 and has recommended Reformation of National Common Entrance Testing including strengthening of NTA, institutional linkage with States, involvement of Test Indenting Agencies as Knowledge and  Examinations  partner  etc.  The  HLCE  has  also  laid  out  measures  and  recommended Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to prevent breaches in both Pen and Paper Test (PPT) and  Computer  Based  Test  (CBT)  examinations.  Guidelines  for  Question  Paper  Setting  and Vetting  as  per  defined  protocols  have  also  been  recommended.  Further,  besides  other recommendations,  the  HLCE  has  called  for  detailed  framework  to  be  developed  on  Testing Centre Allocation Policy to prevent any unusual pattern of test centre allocation to students. The  Committee  also  recommended  constitution  of  a  High-Powered  Steering  Committee  to monitor  the  implementation  of  recommendations  of  HLCE  on  NTA.  The  High-Powered Steering Committee has already been constituted by the Ministry on 14 th November, 2024.

As  deterrence  to  unfair  means  in  public  examinations,  the  Central  Government  has enacted the Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024. The Act has come into force w.e.f. 21st June, 2024 and Rules thereunder have been notified on 23rd June, 2024.

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