Lok Sabha Question No. 993 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-02
Subject: Paper Leaks in Examinations conducted by Central Agencies
Ministry: EDUCATION
Asked by: Shri Imran Masood

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 993 ANSWERED ON: 02.12.2024

## Paper Leaks in Examinations conducted by Central Agencies

## 993.    Shri Imran Masood:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

(a)  whether  the  Government has  any record of  paper leaks in examinations conducted by central agencies, if so the details of such paper leaks during the last ten years;

(b)  whether  there  is  a  mismanagement  and  alleged  manipulation  of  results  in the  recently conducted National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test  (NEET) exam in the country, if so,  the details thereof and the reasons therefor; and

(c) whether the Government has conducted any enquiry into the workings of the National Testing Agency (NTA) due to the rise in complaints of mismanagement, especially after the Common University Entrance Test (CUET) and NEET exams, if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (c): 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.

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 to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the entire  gamut  of  alleged  irregularities  including  conspiracy,  cheating,  breach  of  trust  etc. w.r.t.  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.

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 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  been constituted by the Ministry on 14 th  November, 2024.

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