Lok Sabha Question No. 3678 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-11
Subject: Delay in Conducting NEET and UGC NET
Ministry: EDUCATION
Asked by: Shri Benny Behanan

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-3678

ANSWERED ON- 11/08/2025

## Delay in Conducting NEET and UGC NET

3678.  Shri Benny Behanan:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

- (a) the total number of aspirants affected due to paper leaks and delay in holding NEET and UGC-NET entrance examinations during the last ten years, State-wise;
- (b)  the  total  number  of  paper-leaks  incidents  leading  to  cancellation  or  rescheduling  of national-level entrance examinations during the last ten years, examination-wise, year-wise and State-wise;
- (c) the total number of individuals and groups identified and arrested in such irregularities during the above period, State-wise and year-wise; and
- (d)  whether the Government has taken any step to curb the incidences of cheating and paper leaks in such competitive examinations?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) The National Testing Agency (NTA) was established by the Ministry of Education as a  specialized body to conduct examinations for admission/fellowships in Higher Education Institutions. Since 2019, NTA has been conducting the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET-UG) Examination for admission to undergraduate medical education in all medical institutions across the country. Prior to 2019, the NEET(UG) Examination was conducted by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE).

Similarly, NTA has been conducting the UGC-NET Examination to determine the eligibility of candidates for Assistant Professor and/or Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) in universities and colleges since 2018. Before this, the UGC-NET Examination was conducted by CBSE.

The examination timelines have been mostly followed to ensure smooth admission processes. However, the NEET(UG) 2020 and 2021 exams, as well as the UGC-NET December 2020 and May  2021  cycle,  were  postponed  due  to  the  COVID-19  pandemic  and  related  logistical challenges.  This  was  due  to  an  unprecedented  situation  caused  by  COVID-19  which  had affected academic schedules as a whole.

As regards the UGC-NET June 2024 Examination, held on 18.6.24 and later cancelled, the examination was conducted between 21st August, 2024 and 4th September, 2024 in Computer Based Test (C.B.T.) mode and result was declared on 17.10.2024.

After the conduct of NEET(UG) 2024 Examination in May, 2024, 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 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 had been declared on 26th July, 2024.

NTA has started declaration of Examination Calendar of major examinations, much in advance for the facilitation of candidates. The  Examination calendar is planned taking into consideration, buffer days to accommodate for reschedules/postponements for reasons beyond the control of NTA.

- (b) and (c) Competitive Examinations are conducted by different bodies at National & State Level for recruitment as well as  for  admission in Educational  Institutions.  Data  Regarding Examination specific incidents is not maintained centrally in the Ministry.
- (d) 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.

A High-Powered Steering Committee, chaired by Dr. K. Radhakrishnan, former Chairman, I.S.R.O.  is  already  constituted  to  oversee  the  implementation  of  reforms  in  the  conduct  of national-level examinations by the NTA.

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