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NEET UG To Go Online? Dharmendra Pradhan Hints At Imminent Decision

December 17, 2024, 6:03 pm

The Education and Health Ministries are actively deliberating on whether the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test Undergraduate (NEET UG) should continue in its current pen-and-paper format or transition to an online mode. Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan stated that the decision will be finalized soon and communicated to aspirants.

Discussions have already taken place in two rounds with the Health Ministry, led by Union Minister JP Nadda. Currently, NEET UG is conducted in pen-and-paper mode where candidates answer multiple-choice questions (MCQs) on OMR sheets. Last year, NEET UG saw a record participation of 24 lakh candidates, making it India’s largest entrance exam.

“The administrative ministry of NEET is the Health Ministry, and we are holding discussions with them about whether NEET should be conducted in pen-and-paper mode or online. We’ve already had two rounds of talks. Whatever option is deemed best for conducting the exam, NTA is prepared to implement it,” Pradhan said. He further assured, “What will be NEET’s methodology, what will be the protocol… a decision is expected soon. We will notify it soon.”

Conducted by the NTA annually, NEET UG serves as the gateway to medical admissions, including MBBS, BDS, and courses in Ayurveda, Unani, and Siddha. Of the total 1.08 lakh MBBS seats available, around 56,000 are in government medical colleges, and 52,000 in private institutions.

Also Read: NEET-UG Paper Leak Scandal: CBI Files 5th Chargesheet

The proposal to shift NEET to a computer-based format gained urgency after the recent paper leak controversy, prompting calls for immediate reforms. In response, the government set up a high-level panel in July to enhance the transparency and integrity of NTA-administered exams. Headed by former ISRO Chief R Radhakrishnan, the panel suggested multi-stage testing as a potential reform. Their report emphasized developing “an acceptable framework with thresholds, scoring methods, ranking objectives, and defined test attempts.”

The NEET controversy, alongside UGC-NET’s cancellation due to compromised integrity, has sparked nationwide scrutiny. Both incidents are under investigation by the CBI. As a preventive measure, other exams like CSIR NET and NEET PG were also cancelled.

The reform panel includes prominent figures such as former AIIMS Delhi director Dr. Randeep Guleria, University of Hyderabad Vice-Chancellor B J Rao, IIT Madras Professor Emeritus K Ramamurthy, IIT Delhi Dean Aditya Mittal, and MoE Joint Secretary Govind Jaiswal. Additionally, IIT Kanpur professors Amey Karkare and Debapriya Roy, along with People Strong co-founder Pankaj Bansal, have been appointed to the committee.

The panel’s mandate is to review current exam security protocols, analyze vulnerabilities, and recommend improvements to strengthen the system’s resilience and fairness.

BJP Asks ‘Will Rahul Gandhi Apologize’ After SC Upholds NEET-UG

July 24, 2024, 6:24 pm

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) accused Congress leader Rahul Gandhi of sowing suspicion in India’s test system following the suspected leak of NEET-UG papers in numerous locations. They questioned if he would apologize following the Supreme Court’s verdict in the case.

On Tuesday, the court denied demands to cancel the exam and retake it, citing a lack of evidence of a “systemic breach” that jeopardized the exam’s integrity. The court found that the breach occurred in only a few places.

Following the ruling, BJP leader and former government minister Ravi Shankar Prasad slammed the opposition, notably Gandhi. Prasad stated that, while Gandhi used language like “fraud” to criticize the entire examination, the court underlined that there was no systemic breach of the exam’s integrity.

He said, “Will Rahul Gandhi apologise…,” saying that paper leaks were routine throughout Congress-led regimes.

He further accused Gandhi of undermining India’s worldwide credibility with his critical remarks regarding the test system. Prasad went on to say that Gandhi’s statements were insulting to Parliament and his position as the Lok Sabha’s Opposition Leader.

NEET-UG Centre-Wise Results: Key Highlights

July 21, 2024, 2:18 pm

The National Testing Agency (NTA) released city and centre-wise results for the NEET-UG 2024 exams on Saturday, revealing some notable trends. Certain exam centres have shown an unusually high number of top-performing medical aspirants.

Here are some key insights from the data:

At the School of Engineering, RK University in Rajkot, Gujarat, over 240 candidates scored above 600 marks, with 12 achieving over 700 out of 720.
In Rajasthan’s Sikar, the Mangal Chand Didwaniya Vidya Mandir centre saw four students score above 700, 45 above 650, and 115 above 600. Similarly, at Aravali Public School in Sikar, 90 students scored over 600 marks, and 83 others scored around 600.
Out of 27,000 aspirants in Sikar, 4,200 scored above 600 and over 2,000 above 450. Of the 30,204 students who scored 650 and above nationwide, those ranked up to 30,000 will have opportunities for seats in government medical colleges. Sikar alone will have 2,037 seats available.
In Haryana’s Rohtak, 45 students at Model School centre scored over 600, while in Lucknow’s SDSN Mahavidyalaya centre, more than 45 students achieved the same.
At Hardayal Public School in Jhajjar, Haryana, no student scored above 682 in the revised results, despite initial reports of six candidates scoring a perfect 720.
In Patna, Bihar, 29 students at AN College scored above 650, while Holy Mission Secondary School had 21 students score above 650, with two achieving 700 marks.

The CBI has arrested over a dozen individuals, including a civil engineer and MBBS students, in connection with the NEET paper leak in Bihar and Jharkhand. The Centre has opposed cancelling the entire exam, arguing that the paper leak was localized.

Following a Supreme Court order, the NTA has released data for over 32 lakh candidates from 4,750 centres.

“Govt Needs To Give Up All-India Examination”: P Chidambaram Weighs In On Controversy Surrounding NEET-UG

July 14, 2024, 3:24 pm

With the controversy over the NEET-UG exam 2024 raging on, senior Congress leader and Rajya Sabha MP P Chidambaram said that the Centre must indeed give up these fetishes for conducting all-India examinations, states wresting back their powers for conducting the medical college admission test that has been mired in problems and allegations of malpractice with continued usage of NEET. Chidambaram attacked the examination management and sought Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s resignation while holding him responsible for examination leaks.

He expressed apprehensions about the new criminal laws brought in recently, claiming large chunks of old laws were merely lifted without adequate change. The senior Congress leader said that the whole process was lacking in transparency and lawyers from all parts of the country are unhappy over the way amendments to the penal code have been effected recently. Chidambaram disclosed plans by the Congress’ Legal and Human Rights Department to hold a conclave by the end of this month to take up such issues.

Coming to the aid of Rahul Gandhi against BJP allegations over his recent parliamentary speech, Chidambaram took a sturdy defense of remarks made by Gandhi and ruled out insult against the Hindu community. He posed strong annoyance over what appeared to be a saffron blitzkrieg on issues relating to Hindu identity politics and reiterated Congress’ commitment to a secular India.

NEET-UG 2024: Government Defends Examination Integrity In Supreme Court Affidavit

July 5, 2024, 5:33 pm

The Indian government has defended the integrity of the NEET-UG 2024 examination in an affidavit filed before the Supreme Court. Citing the absence of substantial evidence of widespread confidentiality breaches, the Centre argued against scrapping the entire exam.

It emphasized that such a drastic measure would unfairly impact the aspirations of countless sincere candidates who participated in the exam. The affidavit underlined the importance of maintaining confidence in the examination process while addressing concerns about any potential breaches.

See post

NEET-UG 2024: Centre files an affidavit before the Supreme Court saying in the absence of any proof of any large-scale breach of confidentiality in the examination, it would not be rational to scrap the entire examination.

Scrapping the exam in its entirety would “seriously… pic.twitter.com/nbE1iFXuLI

— ANI (@ANI) July 5, 2024

This development comes amidst ongoing scrutiny and legal challenges regarding the conduct and security of the NEET-UG exams. The government’s stance aims to reassure candidates and uphold the credibility of the examination system, urging a balanced approach to addressing any identified issues without compromising the efforts of honest students.

NEET-UG Paper Leak: How Is Sanjiv Mukhia, The Key Suspect, Linked With NDA?

June 25, 2024, 9:27 pm

Sanjiv Mukhia, a central figure in the alleged NEET-UG paper leak scandal in Bihar, has come under scrutiny amidst accusations linking him to the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA). The Bihar police have identified Mukhia as a key player in a gang accused of manipulating competitive exams across states for financial gain. Despite being named in the FIR, Mukhia remains the only individual not yet apprehended by authorities.

The opposition Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) has intensified its allegations against Mukhia, claiming his close ties with the NDA and accusing him of orchestrating the scandal. Photos circulating on social media purportedly show Mukhia’s family members with leaders from the ruling alliance, prompting demands from the RJD for a thorough investigation into his alleged role.

Sanjiv Mukhia, also known as Sanjiv Singh, resides in Nagarnausa village in Bihar’s Nalanda district and holds the position of technical assistant at Nalanda College. His association with political circles includes his wife, Mamta Devi, who contested the 2020 Bihar Assembly elections from the Harnaut seat on a Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) ticket.

Mukhia’s past includes a controversial stint in Uttarakhand, where he was arrested in 2016 on charges related to leaking the NEET paper. After spending 14 months in Nainital jail, he was released on bail in 2018. His son, Shiv Kumar, is currently incarcerated in Beur jail following his arrest in connection with the alleged leak of the Bihar Public Service Commission Teacher Recruitment Examination in April 2024.

The case has now been handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) from Bihar’s Economic Offences Unit (EOU). A team of CBI officials, including a Deputy Inspector General (DIG) and Deputy Superintendent of Police (SP), has arrived in Patna to gather evidence. They have met with EOU officials and visited the Shastri Nagar Police Station, where the initial case was filed.

The unfolding NEET-UG scandal has cast a shadow over Bihar’s examination system, prompting calls for stringent actions against those involved and raising concerns about the integrity of competitive exams in the state. The investigation into Sanjiv Mukhia’s alleged involvement continues as authorities strive to uncover the full extent of the scandal and bring all responsible parties to justice.

Bihar Police Found Questions Matching ‘Original’ NEET Paper In Burnt Scraps: How Many Papers Matched?

June 24, 2024, 8:59 am

The Bihar government has communicated to the Centre that a probe by its Economic Offences Unit (EOU) “clearly suggests a paper leak” in the NEET-UG exam. This assertion is based on the EOU’s findings that 68 questions from the purported photocopy of the question paper, retrieved from burnt paper remains, match the original NEET-UG paper provided by the National Testing Agency (NTA). This information has been confirmed by The Indian Express.

The EOU’s report, which was received by the Education Ministry on Saturday, also indicates that the unique exam centre code found on the scraps of the burnt paper corresponds to Oasis School, a CBSE-affiliated private school in Hazaribagh, Jharkhand. This school was designated as an exam centre by the NTA. The EOU used forensic analysis to confirm the match between the burnt scraps and the original question paper.

The Education Ministry, acting on the EOU’s report, decided to hand over the investigation to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The EOU has already arrested five more suspects on Sunday, bringing the total number of arrests in connection with the paper leak to 18. Reinforcing the claim of a paper leak, the EOU noted that the 68 questions not only matched the original questions but also had identical serial numbers.

The burnt papers were initially found on the day of the exam, May 5, when the suspected candidates were arrested. However, a delay occurred in matching them with the NEET-UG paper due to the NTA’s initial reluctance to share the question paper with the state government. This hurdle was overcome a week ago when the NTA began cooperating with Bihar’s EOU.

The current focus of the Bihar EOU is to determine the time and location of the paper leak. The NTA has recently provided the chain of custody for the question paper, aiding the EOU in tracing the paper’s journey from the NTA to the Oasis School to identify where the leak occurred. A significant clue emerged when the EOU seized items from Oasis School, discovering that one tamper-proof envelope containing the question papers had been cut open improperly.

Ehsanhul Haque, the principal of Oasis School, suggested that the paper might have been leaked before the packets arrived at the school. He clarified that CCTV footage showed the packets were received on the morning of May 5 by the Centre Superintendent and the NTA Observer, and the packets were opened in front of the students as per protocol. Haque stated that despite the school’s strict procedures, the EOU found evidence suggesting sophisticated tampering with the sealed packets.

The EOU has sent the digital devices and phones of the arrested individuals to a forensics laboratory to retrieve further clues, as the accused had recently formatted their devices. The arrested candidates testified that they had memorized answers from the leaked question paper a day before the exam while staying at a location in Rajbanshi Nagar. Their scores ranged from 185 to 581 out of 720. The EOU suspects that another 30 candidates may have benefited from the leak, based on the statements of the accused.

The investigation gained momentum after the Jharkhand Police alerted the Bihar Police about a potential paper leak on May 4. On the exam day, May 5, the Patna police, acting on specific leads, raided a house in Rajbanshi Nagar and found the burnt question paper. Subsequent arrests included a key suspect, Yadavendu, a junior engineer, and others involved in the conspiracy.

The Bihar government transferred the investigation to the EOU on May 11, which then led to the identification and arrest of additional suspects. The CBI will now take over the investigation to further unravel the details of the NEET-UG paper leak.

UGC-NET & NEET-UG Controversies: Exam Entrances Embroiled In Debate

June 20, 2024, 1:58 pm

The ongoing controversy surrounding entrance-level exams continues to develop, with the Ministry of Education recently declaring the cancellation of the University Grants Commission-National Eligibility Test (UGC-NET) examination. This decision, announced on Wednesday night, comes just a day after countless students nationwide took the exam. The ministry’s latest move further intensifies the ongoing NEET-UG dispute. Let’s delve into the current situation and anticipate what might happen next.

What does the UGC-NET exam entail, and who is responsible for its administration?

The UGC-NET exam, known as the National Eligibility Test, is administered to assess the eligibility of Indian citizens for roles as assistant professors and junior research fellowships in universities and colleges nationwide. It also serves as a criterion for admission to PhD programs. Additionally, it determines eligibility for various fellowships under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment and the Ministry of Minorities Affairs.

As per the UGC-NET official website, candidates seeking these fellowships must apply for and pass this examination. The National Testing Agency (NTA) conducts the exam, typically in a Computer Based Test (CBT) format, twice a year in June and December. While NTA has been managing the test in CBT mode since 2018 on behalf of the UGC, this year’s exam was conducted in a pen-and-paper format.

Why was the exam called off?

The June exam took place on Tuesday (18 June) in OMR (pen and paper) format in two sessions across India. The decision to cancel the exam was made late Wednesday night (19 June) following advice from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, citing concerns about potential compromises to the examination’s integrity.

The National Cyber Crime Threat Analytics Unit of the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) under the Ministry of Home Affairs investigated the situation. “These inputs suggest that the integrity of the aforementioned examination may have been compromised,” stated the education ministry in a press release.

“To ensure the highest level of transparency and sanctity of the examination process, the Ministry of Education, Government of India has decided that the UGC-NET June 2024 Examination be cancelled,” it added.

Government is committed to ensure the sanctity of examinations and protect the interest of students.

Ministry of Education has decided that the UGC-NET June 2024 Examination be cancelled on the basis of inputs from Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) under the Ministry…

— Ministry of Education (@EduMinOfIndia) June 19, 2024

The exam comprises two papers: a common one for all candidates and a subject-specific paper related to their specialization. With the cancellation affecting all participants, it suggests that the alleged “compromise” may be connected to the common paper.

However, the government’s statement lacks specifics on the nature of the issue.

How many candidates will be impacted?

The exam saw participation from nine lakh candidates at 1,205 centers across 317 cities.

According to the NTA, a total of 11,21,225 candidates registered, including 6,35,587 females, 4,85,579 males, and 59 third-gender candidates, marking an increase from the UGC-NET December 2023 exam which had 9,45,872 applicants.

Of the registered candidates, 81% appeared for the exam, a rise from the 73.6% attendance recorded in the December exam.

UGC Chairman M Jagadesh Kumar shared on X, “NTA has successfully conducted UGC-NET June 2024, determining eligibility for (i) ‘award of Junior Research Fellowship and appointment as Assistant Professor’, (ii) ‘appointment as Assistant Professor and admission to Ph.D.’, and (iii) ‘admission to Ph.D. only’ in 83 subjects in OMR (Pen and Paper) format across two shifts (09:30 AM to 12:30 Noon and 03:00 PM to 06:00 PM).”

Today, NTA has successfully conducted UGC – NET June 2024 for determining the eligible candidates for (i) ‘award of Junior Research Fellowship and appointment as Assistant Professor’, (ii) ‘appointment as Assistant Professor and admission to Ph.D.’ and

— Mamidala Jagadesh Kumar (@mamidala90) June 18, 2024

Students will undergo a re-examination, details of which will be communicated separately, according to the education ministry. The ministry emphasized its commitment to upholding the integrity of exams and safeguarding students’ interests.

As of now, no specific date has been announced for the rescheduled test.

What is the next step in the case?

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) will launch an investigation into the alleged compromise of the exam. Although there have been reports of a leaked exam paper, the education ministry has not disclosed specifics.

The cancellation of UGC-NET marks the first instance of a centrally conducted public exam being called off following the introduction of an anti-paper leak law earlier this year. The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, enacted in February 2024, stipulates imprisonment ranging from three to five years and fines up to Rs 10 lakh for individuals engaging in unfair practices. This law is expected to be invoked in this case, as per sources cited by The Indian Express.

How have people responded to the government’s decision?

Following the cancellation announcement, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra condemned the government’s perceived laxity and called for accountability.

In a post on X, she expressed concerns about the impact of the government’s alleged laxity and corruption on the youth. She questioned whether the education minister would take responsibility for the canceled exams and the feared irregularities associated with them.

भाजपा सरकार का लीकतंत्र व लचरतंत्र युवाओं के लिए घातक है।

NEET परीक्षा में हुए घपले की खबरों के बाद अब 18 जून को हुई NET की परीक्षा भी गड़बड़ियों की आशंका के चलते रद्द की गई।

क्या अब जवाबदेही तय होगी? क्या शिक्षा मंत्री इस लचरतंत्र की जिम्मेदारी लेंगे?

— Priyanka Gandhi Vadra (@priyankagandhi) June 19, 2024

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and Rajya Sabha MP Priyanka Chaturvedi criticized the National Testing Agency (NTA) for its repeated failure to conduct national examinations fairly, citing it as evidence of incompetence. She emphasized the impact on students who diligently prepare for these exams, highlighting the mental pressure they endure. Chaturvedi stressed the need for accountability from both the government and the NTA, stating that cancellation alone is not a solution.

On the other hand, BJP leader Amit Malviya defended the government’s decision to proactively cancel the NET exam. He mentioned that the decision was made after reports of compromise were received by the UGC, leading to a CBI probe. Malviya also assured protection of students’ interests and promised action in the NEET(UG) exam based on the report from the Economic Offences Unit of the Bihar Police.

What is the NEET-UG dispute about?

The NEET-UG (National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test-Undergraduate) controversy centers around the entrance exam held annually for students seeking admission to undergraduate medical courses in India’s medical institutions. This exam, like UG-NET, is overseen by the NTA.

The exam took place on 5 May, with results announced on 4 June. Subsequently, students raised concerns about a leaked question paper and the awarding of grace marks to over 1,500 candidates, an unusually high number achieving perfect scores. Notably, 67 students scored 720 marks, a significant increase compared to previous years, where only a few achieved perfect scores.

Allegations surfaced that six of the top scorers had appeared for the exam at the same center in Haryana. The issue reached the Supreme Court, leading to a decision for a retest for 1,563 students who received grace marks, with the option to retain their original scores if they choose not to participate.

Amid the paper leak allegations, four individuals were arrested in Bihar, including a candidate who admitted to receiving the question paper a day before the exam.

On Thursday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah convened a meeting with Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Health Minister J P Nadda, and other officials to discuss the NEET-UG exam-related FIRs, particularly in Bihar.

The controversy has sparked a confrontation between the Opposition and the government, with the Congress calling for a nationwide protest on 21 June.

Why Were UGC-NET Exams Cancelled? –Explained

June 20, 2024, 10:52 am

Amidst the ongoing controversy over NEET examination results, the Ministry of Education has recently ordered the cancellation of the UGC-NET examination due to a compromise in the exam’s integrity.

Issuing the official statement regarding this topic, the education ministry received the inputs from National Cyber Crime Threat Analytics Unit of the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre.

To maintain transparency and sanctity associated with the examination process, the Ministry of education announced the cancellation of the UGC-NET June 2024 Examination.

THE Government is committed to ENSURING the sanctity of examinations and protect the interest of students.

Ministry of Education has decided that the UGC-NET June 2024 Examination be cancelled BASED ON inputs from Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) under the Ministry…

— Ministry of Education (@EduMinOfIndia) June 19, 2024

In the aftermath of the cancellation, many political figures especially from opposition parties including Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, launched a blistering attack on the ruling government.

Taking to X, Kharge writing in hindi said, ‘When will you conduct ‘NEET pareeksha pe charcha’?’. Further taking a jibe, he also said, that you talk about exams, when will you talk about NEET exams?

.@narendramodi जी,

आप “परीक्षा पर चर्चा” तो बहुत करते हैं, “NEET परीक्षा पर चर्चा” कब करेंगे?

UGC-NET परीक्षा को रद्द करना लाखों छात्र-छात्राओं के जज़्बे की जीत है।

ये मोदी सरकार के अहंकार की हार है जिसके चलते उन्होंने हमारे युवाओं के भविष्य को रौंदने का कुत्सित प्रयास…

— Mallikarjun Kharge (@kharge) June 19, 2024

Congress secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also talked about the UGC-NET exams cancellation and alleged, that BJP’s negligence and corruption is gravely affecting students.

भाजपा सरकार का लीकतंत्र व लचरतंत्र युवाओं के लिए घातक है।

NEET परीक्षा में हुए घपले की खबरों के बाद अब 18 जून को हुई NET की परीक्षा भी गड़बड़ियों की आशंका के चलते रद्द की गई।

क्या अब जवाबदेही तय होगी? क्या शिक्षा मंत्री इस लचरतंत्र की जिम्मेदारी लेंगे?

— Priyanka Gandhi Vadra (@priyankagandhi) June 19, 2024

Later, the ministry of education announced, that a new date of the examination will be declared soon, and the case has been transferred to CBI for investigation.

What Is UGC-NET Examination?

According to its official website, UGC-NET is a national level exam, which is held for the appointment of assistant professors, junior research fellowships and for PHD admissions in colleges and universities across India.

Furthermore, it also determines eligibility for various fellowships, including those under the Ministries of Social Justice and Empowerment and ministry of Minorities Affairs.

Usually, this examination is conducted by National Testing Agency (NTA) in a Computer-Based mode. Which is the same body, who is responsible for NEET-UG.

But this year, this exam was supposed to be held in a pen and paper mode and on same day, as earlier, the exams were held in shifts.

When Is It Conducted?

The UGC-NET exam is annually conducted twice in the month of June and December.

Priyanka Gandhi Slams Centre’s NEET-UG Move as ‘Attack on Youth Dreams’

June 15, 2024, 12:09 pm

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra weighed in on the controversy surrounding the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET-Undergraduate) exams, criticizing the BJP government for allegedly jeopardizing youth aspirations soon after assuming power.

Addressing the issue, Vadra remarked, “As soon as the new BJP government took oath, it again started attacking the dreams of the youth. The arrogant response of the Education Minister (Dharmendra Pradhan) on the irregularities in the NEET exam results completely ignores the cries of 24 lakh students and their parents. Does the Education Minister not see the facts available in the public domain?”

भाजपा की नई सरकार ने शपथ लेते ही युवा सपनों पर फिर से प्रहार शुरू कर दिया। NEET परीक्षा परिणाम में गड़बड़ियों पर शिक्षा मंत्री का अहंकार भरा जवाब 24 लाख छात्रों एवं उनके अभिभावकों की चीख-पुकार की पूरी तरह से अनदेखी करता है। क्या शिक्षा मंत्री जी को सार्वजनिक रूप से मौजूद तथ्य…

— Priyanka Gandhi Vadra (@priyankagandhi) June 14, 2024

The NEET-UG exam, held on May 5 by the National Testing Agency (NTA) across 4,750 centers for nearly 24 lakh students, has come under scrutiny due to allegations of leaked papers and controversial grace marks. Vadra criticized the government for overlooking youth concerns, stating, “The question is, who does the government want to save in the system by ignoring lakhs of youth and their parents? Shouldn’t the dreams of the youth stop being sacrificed at the altar of this corrupt examination system?”

She emphasized the need for the government to address student and parent grievances seriously, urging, “The BJP government should abandon its ego and think seriously about the future of the youth and take measures to curb corruption in examinations.”

Meanwhile, former Madhya Pradesh chief minister and Congress leader Digvijay Singh demanded a thorough investigation into the NEET-UG irregularities, describing it as a serious scam. He insisted, “My demand is that the entire examination should be cancelled and it should be held as soon as possible and a completely impartial inquiry should be conducted into this matter under the new law passed by the Parliament and the culprits should be given the harshest punishment.”

Singh further criticized the functioning of the NTA, stating, “The scam in NEET (UG)-2024 is extremely serious. This is the gigantic national form of the Vyapam scam in Madhya Pradesh, which not only casts doubt on the functioning of the National Examination Agency (NTA) but also shows it to be faulty and full of corruption.”

In response to the ongoing issues, the NTA informed the Supreme Court about its decision to cancel the scorecards of 1563 candidates who received grace marks in the NEET-UG exam. These students will have an opportunity to retake the exam on June 23, with results expected before June 30.

Singh raised concerns over fairness, questioning, “1,563 students went to court over the dispute of having two different answers to the questions and were given grace marks. So, was injustice not done to those students who could not go to court?”

He also criticized the allocation of grace marks and raised questions on the conduct of the examination in various states, urging transparency and accountability in the process.

Will NEET Be Cancelled? Supreme Court to Hear Petitions Challenging NEET UG 2024 Results Today

June 13, 2024, 11:23 am

The Supreme Court will hear three petitions today calling for the cancellation of NEET UG 2024 and the organization of a retest due to claims of irregularities in the awarding of grace marks. Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta will preside over the vacation bench handling these petitions. The petitioners are also seeking a halt to the counselling process.

On the Supreme Court’s hearing on the NEET-UG 2024 exam, Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan says “There is no corruption. In connection with the NEET examination, 24 lakh students appear in the examination. A hearing in the Supreme Court is underway today and this issue is regarding around 1,500 students. Govt is ready to give answers to the Court. This specific issue is being taken into consideration and a committee of academicians has been formed. The Govt will present this in front of the Court…NTA conducts 3 major examinations that is NEET, JEE and CUET successfully in the country…We will take action against the people responsible…”

Among the petitions is one filed by Alakh Pandey, the founder of Physics Wallah, who argued that the NTA’s decision to give grace marks was “arbitrary”. Pandey gathered representations from about 20,000 students, indicating that 70-80 marks were awarded as grace marks to at least 1,500 students.

Alakh Pandey’s petition contests the alleged random awarding of grace marks by the National Testing Agency (NTA) to over 1,500 candidates.

Pandey says, “Today, NTA accepted in front of the Supreme Court that the grace marks given to the students were wrong and they agree that this created dissatisfaction among the students and they agreed that they will remove the grace marks…Re-examination of those 1,563 students who got grace marks will be done on 23rd June or the original score without grace marks would be accepted by the students. NTA agreed in front of the SC that the grace marks they awarded were wrong. The question is if NTA has other discrepancies that we are unaware of. So, there is a trust issue with NTA…The issue of paper leak is open and hearing on that will continue…”

The second petition, submitted by SIO members Abdullah Mohammed Faiz and Dr. Shaik Roshan Mohiddin, seeks to annul the NEET-UG 2024 results and conduct a new exam. The petitioners allege arbitrariness in the distribution of grace marks, noting that scores as high as 718 and 719 out of 720, achieved by several students, were “statistically impossible.” They claim the NTA’s grace marks were a malafide effort to create “backdoor entry” for certain students, rather than compensating for “lost time.” Additionally, they raised concerns about 67 students from one particular center scoring a perfect 720 marks.

In their petition, they also request a suspension of the counselling for NEET-UG 2024 admissions until an investigation into claims of a paper leak is completed. They further call for the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to examine the alleged malpractices in the exam’s conduct.

The third petition was filed by NEET candidate Jaripiti Kartheek, who challenged the awarding of grace marks as compensation for the purported loss of time during the exam. He contended that the “normalization formula” for grace marks should only apply to the number of questions left unanswered in proportion to the lost time, considering that each question carries equal weight and assumes equal time for answering.

On Wednesday, the National Testing Agency (NTA) informed the Delhi High Court that it intends to transfer all matters related to the alleged irregularities in the NEET UG 2024 results to the Supreme Court.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed the Delhi High Court bench, led by Justice Neena Bansal Krishna, that the NTA will file a transfer petition before the Supreme Court to consolidate and schedule all related cases for a joint hearing.

Mehta mentioned that following the NEET-UG exam results, numerous petitions have been filed across various High Courts in the country. To ensure consistency and prevent conflicting judgments, the NTA will request the Supreme Court to hear all such matters together.

The NTA conducted the NEET examination on May 5 across 4,750 centers, with about 24 lakh candidates taking the test. Although the results were initially expected on June 14, they were released earlier on June 4, as the evaluation of the answer sheets was completed ahead of schedule. Allegations of a question paper leak and the awarding of grace marks to over 1,500 medical aspirants have led to protests and the filing of cases in high courts as well as the Supreme Court.

NEET UG Controversy: Retest for 1,563 Candidates Considered

June 12, 2024, 1:11 pm

A committee formed by the National Testing Agency (NTA) is considering a retest for all 1,563 candidates who were awarded “grace marks” for “loss of time” in the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (Undergraduate) this year. The committee, headed by a former UPSC chairman, is also contemplating offering these candidates the option to accept their “non-normalised score,” which reflects their actual achievement before the addition of grace marks.

The committee, whose exact composition has not been disclosed, is expected to submit its recommendation to the NTA in the next two days. The decision comes after an uproar over the unusually large number of candidates scoring well in the entrance test this year, with 67 candidates securing the perfect score of 720/720.

On Tuesday, the Supreme Court, hearing a petition seeking cancellation of the exams amid allegations of a paper leak, expressed concerns about the exam’s “sanctity” and sought answers from the NTA and the Centre. The court declined to stay the counselling and tagged the petition with another to be heard on July 8.

The NEET-UG results, announced on June 4, drew attention when 67 candidates scored the perfect 720/720, and others scored 718 or 719—marks some claimed were not possible in the exam’s scheme. The NTA attributed this to factors such as an easier paper, additional marks awarded to students who lost time due to errors, delays, and an incorrect question.

Of the 1,563 candidates affected, two options are being considered: accepting their pre-normalisation score or sitting for a retest. “Although this is not the final decision, many members are leaning towards the option of asking these candidates to either accept their raw score (pre-normalisation) score or sit for a retest. Majority of the 1,500 candidates scored less than 300 out of 720 marks even after normalisation. It was felt they may not come forward for the retest even if offered as an option. For the remaining numbers it will not be too difficult to conduct the exam again,” said a source who did not wish to be identified.

The Directorate General of Health Services has not yet announced the counselling schedule. If a retest is conducted, the NTA will need to ensure that the results are announced before the counselling process begins.

Approximately 24 lakh candidates took the NEET-UG exam held on May 5 in 571 cities, including 14 outside India. There are a total of 1,08,940 MBBS seats in more than 700 medical colleges across the country.

In a fresh writ petition filed in the Supreme Court, a batch of students raised doubts about the examination’s sanctity in light of the paper leak allegations and urged the court to cancel it and direct the NTA to hold it again.

NEET-UG Results : 4-Member Panel To Review 1,563 Candidates

June 9, 2024, 3:37 pm

In response to concerns raised by candidates regarding the National Eligibility Entrance Test-Undergraduate (NEET-UG) results, the Ministry of Education has taken action. A four-member panel, headed by a former Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) chairperson, has been constituted to review the grace marks awarded to more than 1,563 candidates in the medical entrance exam. This decision was communicated by the National Testing Agency (NTA) on Saturday.

The NEET-UG results were announced on June 4, triggering various issues and complaints from candidates across the country. Many candidates expressed dissatisfaction with the examination process and highlighted irregularities they observed during the test. As a result, demands for a thorough review and a fair resolution have been mounting.

The panel’s formation, spearheaded by a former UPSC chairperson, signals a comprehensive evaluation of the grace marks awarded to candidates. This move aims to address the concerns raised by candidates and ensure transparency and fairness in the evaluation process. The panel is expected to delve into the specifics of the grace marks allocation and make recommendations based on a thorough assessment.

The NEET-UG exam is a critical milestone for medical and dental aspirants, and the integrity of the examination process is of paramount importance. The Ministry of Education’s proactive step to form a panel reflects its commitment to upholding the standards and credibility of the NEET-UG examination, reassuring candidates and stakeholders of a diligent review process.

Candidates and stakeholders eagerly await the outcomes of the panel’s review, expecting a fair and equitable resolution to the concerns raised regarding the NEET-UG grace marks allocation.

NEET exams postponed in violence-hit Manipur

May 6, 2023, 6:11 pm

The National Testing Agency (NTA) on Saturday decided to postpone the NEET (UG) examinations to be held in centres in violence-hit Manipur on Sunday till a later date. This comes after Union MoS for External Affairs and Education Rajkumar Ranjan Singh, keeping in view the current situation in Manipur, wrote a letter regarding rescheduling the NEET (UG) 2023 examinations.

“Please refer to the D.O. Letter dated May 6, 2023, from Dr. Rajkumar Ranjan Singh, MOS, External Affairs and Education, Government of India, regarding rescheduling the NEET (UG)-2023 Examination,” the NTA said in a notification. “In this regard, this is to inform you that the NEET (UG)-2023 Exam has been postponed for the candidates who were allotted examination centres in the State of Manipur, and their exam will be held at a later date. The candidates are also being informed through automatic calls and emails,” it read further.

Speaking on the development, Singh said that, keeping in view the current situation in Manipur, he had requested to postpone the examinations. “I had requested them [the NEET authority] to postpone the exam in the current situation. The new date of the exam will be fixed. A total of 8751 candidates were scheduled to appear at the two centres in Manipur,” he stated.

Earlier in the day, the National People’s Party-led Meghalaya government held a meeting on Saturday to review the status of the ongoing evacuation process of its students from the violence-hit state. The meeting was chaired by Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma.
Meanwhile, Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh is holding an all-party meeting to review the situation.

Important notice for Round 1 reporting candidates: NEET UG 2022 Counselling

October 4, 2022, 2:02 pm

Important notice for NEET UG 2022 Counselling has been released by the Directorate General of Health Services. The notice has been released for those candidates who have reported to Round 1 schedule. Candidates can check the official notice on the official site of MCC at mcc.nic.in.Candidates who have joined the colleges can resign the seat of Round 1 starting from 3 October to 10 October, 2022, as per the official notice.The resignation letter of the candidate should be generated online by the allotted college, failing which the resignation will be treated as ‘Null & Void’. In such a case, candidate will be deemed to occupy the seat still, and rules of Round-2 will apply. In case candidate is resigning by sending email to college, s/he should make sure that they receive Resignation Letter generated through online portal of MCC, any offline resignation/letter is not permissible.Further more, Round-1 joined candidates who neither participate in Round-2 nor resign the seat of Round-1 will be considered part of Round-2 after the stipulated time. For more related details candidates can check the official site of MCC.