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NEET Paper Leak: Implications for Digital Security

August 28, 2024, 2:43 am

As the 2024 NEET paper controversy continues to impact students’ lives and jeopardise the future of more than 24 lakh students, it triggered discussions on how technology could potentially mitigate some of the security challenges in these high-stakes exams. However, the fact that the paper was leaked on the dark web, which is the hidden part of the internet that is not indexed by regular search engines and circulated on telegrams, also highlights the failure of the present digital system. Many exams worldwide have started using digital systems to mitigate such security incidents, allowing for greater reliability, fairness and inclusion in high-stakes exams. Still, the existing digital divide and its unique challenges are also to be considered while discussing any potential shift in policy.

Even though the proposed Digital India Act, 2023 was placed for consultation on 9th March 2023 by then Minister of State for the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MEITY), Mr Rajeev Chandrasekhar, to replace the Information Technology Act of 2000 (IT Act), the concerns continue to exist. The Act is crucial to ensuring India’s secure, accountable and innovative digital future. However, issues like the NEET and UGC NET paper leaks raise questions regarding the safety of India’s digital architecture and the kind of controls that the government can exercise in such situations. In the past, on the occurrence of any such situations, the steps taken by the government include blocking or throttling of mobile communications, websites, social media and messaging applications that have affected the promotion and protection of the exercise of rights over the internet and have been condemned by international organisations like the UN.

In this context, the Digital India Act, 2023 aims to ensure online safety, trust and accountability, open internet, and regulations of new age technologies like artificial intelligence and blockchain technologies. The act will accompany the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, Digital India Act Rules, National Data Governance Policy, and IPC amendments for Cyber Crimes that have taken shape through the new criminal law acts since 1st July this year. This act seeks to ensure the openness, safety, trust, and accountability of the Internet, which is of paramount significance given the background of the paper leaks and violation of the rights of the students to have fair and transparent examinations.

One of the essential aspects the proposed Digital India Act will have to overcome is the Digital Divide. This phenomenon refers to the gap between the haves and the have-nots, that is, the absence of internet accessibility with the larger populace that affects the free flow of information, especially for the students who prepare for such exams. One such category of students is the socially and educationally disadvantaged students who come within the category of the have-nots. Such students have gained access to education in private schools with advanced digital technologies through the quota for them under the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009. Section 12(1) of the Act directs private schools to reserve 25% of seats for children from economically weaker sections. Children in this quota are admitted at the entry level, and the government bears the cost of the next eight years of their education.

However, implementing the same has been a concern, especially since the pandemic. The reason is high dropouts, especially for children from socially and economically disadvantaged backgrounds, since the parents of these children lost their employment, which forced the children to contribute towards the sustenance of the family. Furthermore, the National Education Policy, 2020 has also ignored factors such as caste, religion, region or ethnicity for children from weaker sections of society and assumed a level playing field.

While India’s has the world’s second fastest-growing mobile market, it is lagging behind when it comes to internet connectivity. Oxfam’s India Inequality Report, 2022 stated that only 31 per cent of the rural population uses the internet compared to 67 per cent of the urban population and access to the internet through any device; urban children fared better in urban India at 44 per cent than in rural areas at 17 per cent, with only 4 per cent of students from SC and ST communities having access to a computer and the internet. The exorbitant costs of EdTech products also contributed to the digital divide.

The aspect of governmental control and reasons like national security and public order often have been cited to control internet access, which has also been recognised internationally by bodies like the International Telecommunication Union under its Constitution through Articles 34 and 35. The fact ignored while implementing such measures is its disproportionate impact on students needing internet access. This is more so in a country like India, which has regional disparities, lower internet penetration, less experienced digital regulatory institutions, unequal per capita income and varying digital skills.

Regarding the frequency of internet shutdowns, India holds the record for one of the highest number of shutdowns in the world. These shutdowns are executed through the Temporary Suspension of Telecom Services (Public Emergency or Public Safety) Rules 2017, under which the competent authorities have direct and express power to direct internet shutdowns. Additionally, the government can impose a shutdown under section 5(2) of the Telegraph Act, which authorises the government to detain telegraphs during a public emergency or in the interest of public safety.

Instead, there is a need for sustained and transformed digital empowerment based on principles of access, adoption and inclusivity that enhance citizen trust, especially for the students who constitute a more significant proportion of the users and make the system user-friendly. From a comparative aspect, the practice followed in the European Union may act as a guiding light. In Europe, the focus has been on content regulation, i.e. the material being displayed to the users over the internet, protection of free speech and the right to privacy. Moreover, Europe has taken a proactive approach regarding concerns related to privacy, such as the European Union General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which shifts the responsibility for privacy and security to the service providers.

In the future, the need of the hour is for a holistic and inclusive approach to develop an ecosystem of digital literacy awareness, education and training involving enhanced cooperation and mutual sectoral collaboration with students, teachers, and the larger community to address the challenges of the digital divide due to lack of access and digital illiteracy.

Abhinav Mehrotra, Assistant Professor and Amit upadhyay, Associate Professor
Jindal Global Law School, O.P. Jindal Global University, Sonipat

NTA Announces Revised NEET-UG 2024 Results

July 25, 2024, 6:30 pm

On Thursday, the National Testing Agency (NTA) announced the revised or new NEET-UG 2024 results.

These results were declared, after supreme court ordered the removal of extra marks awarded to some selected students over physics question.

In the beginning, NTA gave extra marks to candidates, who gave a wrong answer as per old NCERT class 12 science textbook.

But later on, Tuesday, supreme court declared, that only sole correct answer will be accepted and other answers, no extra marks will be given.

Thus, candidates who had been awarded perfect 720/720 marks will witness the loss of four marks.

Meanwhile, education minister Dharmendra Pradhan had declared, that results for NEET-UG 2024 will be announced in coming two days in accordance with supreme court observations.

Check Out the Steps to Access Revised NEET-UG 2024 Results

In order to access NEET-UG 2024 results, here are the following steps that need to be followed: –

Visit the official website at exams.nta.ac.in/NEET.
Look and select the link for revised marks in the homepage.
Register DOB (Date of Birth) & Application Number
Send the details to see your new marks.

The NEET-UG exams has been part of a lot of controversies this 2024. The controversy begun with results announcement on June 4, where some students scored perfect marks of 720/720. As a result, it witnessed huge protests from students who alleged irregularities in the examination including paper leak and other malpractices.

Students Frustrated By CUET Results Delay Calls NTA Helpline

July 25, 2024, 3:58 pm

The results of the Common University Entrance Test (CUET-UG) are yet to be announced, and students frustrated by the wait have turned to the National Testing Agency (NTA) hotline for assistance.

The CUET-UG is the major entrance test for undergraduate programs at 46 Central Universities, including the highly sought-after Delhi University. The delayed findings will have an impact on all participating universities’ admission timetables.

This year’s tests were held online and on paper from May 15 to May 31, with a retake scheduled for July 19. Because to the delay, the future of more than 13 lakh pupils is uncertain. Many CUET students have resorted to social media to protest about the NTA’s delay in issuing results.

Yesterday, one test taker called the NTA helpdesk to inquire about the timing for results. They posted about their experience on Reddit, stating they were impressed by the professional who answered the phone but did not receive a clear response.

“Genuinely impressed by the representatives… answered the call quickly and also replied with composure,” the student wrote. The person noted at least twice that the admission card links had been deleted from the website, implying that the results will be posted soon.

When the student inquired whether they might anticipate the results this week, the NTA official advised them to “wait and see.”

NEET-UG Retest: 6 Students From Haryana Centre Get Highest Score Of 682

July 20, 2024, 10:03 pm

In a significant development related to the NEET-UG controversy, students from Haryana centre, have this time scored above 682 in recently revised UG results.

Earlier, the six candidates from Haryana public centre of Jhajjar district, received perfect score of 720 out of 720. A result, which acted as a catalyst for country-wide protests. Subsequently, bringing the case of paper leak & alleged discrepancies to the fore.

Later, when the case was presented before supreme court, the scores got revised following retest directed by apex court.

As per city wise-centre-wise results declared by NTA just 13 students from Hardayal Public School centre, have acquired above 600 marks. Reports PTI.

Brief Information On NEET-UG Test Controversy

On May 5th, the national Eligibility cum Entrance Test for Undergraduate (NEET-UG) was held at 4,750 exam centres. This examination witnessed the participation of 24 lakh students.

Even though, the results were supposed to be released on June 14. But citing early completion of evaluation process, NTA announced the results earlier on June 4.

But the controversy started, when 67 students (6 from Haryana centre) received a perfect & precise score 720/720.

Thus, implying the presence of discrepancies in the results. Later, it was alleged, that provision of grace marks aided many students in getting the top rank.

However, after many protests and controversy, NTA eventually held retest, following the removal of grace marks given to students. These marks were provided on the basis of delay in starting the exam at centres of Meghalaya, Haryana, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, and Chandigarh.

NEET-UG 2024: SC Demands NTA To Release Results Of All Students, Keeping Their Identity Anonymous

July 18, 2024, 9:42 pm

In a significant development related to the NEET-UG exam controversy, the Supreme Court has ordered NTA (National Testing Agency) to release marks acquired by candidates, who appeared for NEET-UG 2024 on its website.

Furthermore, it also announced, that identity of the students should be anonymous.

Moreover, on Thursday, the bench of CJI DY Chandrachud, Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Mishra also demanded that results should be released separately. Both city & centre-wise by 12 noon on saturday.

The apex court delivered this direction, when student petitioner asked the testing agency to release the results of all students. So that, transparency can be established.

While issuing the order the court said ‘The petitioners have submitted that it would be appropriate if the results of the NEET-UG 24 exam is published on the website so as to bring about some transparency on the centre-wise marks obtained by candidates. We direct the NTA to publish the marks obtained by students in the NEET-UG 2024 exam while at the same time ensuring that the identity of the students is masked. The results should be declared in relation to each centre and city separately.’

The top court was entertaining a bunch of pleas, which demanded the recall of NEET-UG 2024 results and conduct the exam from the scratch, alleging paper leak and malpractice.

During the course of the hearing, the court raised various questions to NTA regarding paper leak and alleged malpractice. It also asked NTA that how many students changed their centers.

In response NTA declared, that around 15,000 students used the window of corrections and center change.

In addition, NTA also added, that students have the option of only changing the city. They do not have the option to choose the centre.

They also said that allotment is only made by the system, and it is done two days before the exam. Hence, nobody knows who’s going to get which centre.

Opposition To Results Publication

Earlier, solicitor general Tushar Mehta appearing for the center, opposed the publishing of whole results saying that the results are the property of the students.

But responding to this argument Narendar Hooda said, that there is no reason from centre or NTA’s side to refrain from releasing the results centre-wise, as the identities will remain anonymous.

Hooda further argued that release of whole results will aid the petitioner in tracking the specific concentration of perfect scores, both city & centre-wise.

Currently, the supreme court has scheduled the next hearing on this matter on July 22. In all eventuality, will finish the case by afternoon.

NEET-UG 2024: 3 Doctors From AIIMS Patna Apprehended

July 18, 2024, 5:55 pm

In a significant related to the NEET-UG 2024 paper leak investigation, three doctors of AIIMS Patna have been detained for their connection with the paper solver gang.

These resident doctors have been apprehended as a part of CBI’s investigation into discrepancies present in NEET-UG 2024.

According to News18’s source, they were allegedly to be part of the group, that cleared the paper for the candidates.

Furthermore, the CBI has taken three doctors into custody and is currently interrogating them about their connection with the gang. Which solved the paper.

As per the source, they are currently probing, whether solved paper was given to the beneficiaries only or it reached others as well.

Moreover, they also revealed that CBI has taken their mobile phones & laptops away. In addition, their hostel room has also been closed.

Yesterday on July 17, CBI has also detained two other accused including the one who stole the paper from NTA’s trunk in Jharkhand’s Hazaribagh.

The culprit has been identified as Pankaj Kumar alias Aditya, who belonged to the 2017 batch of Jamshedpur’s national institute of technology. He apparently stole the NEET-UG paper from NTA trunk at Hazaribagh.

The central agency has also managed to detain another culprit named Raju Singh, who aided Kumar, in stealing the paper. He was also arrested from Jharkhand’s Hazaribagh.

Interestingly as per earlier reports, there were irregularities present in the trunk, through which the question papers reached the Hazaribagh’s Oasis School.

NEET-UG 2024: SC Issues Notice On NTA Petitions, Considers Transfer Of Cases

July 15, 2024, 3:52 pm

The Supreme Court addressed significant concerns regarding the NEET-UG 2024 examination by issuing notices on petitions submitted by the National Testing Agency (NTA). These petitions specifically requested the transfer of ongoing cases from the Rajasthan High Court to the highest judicial body in the country.

The petitions before the Supreme Court seek to challenge the NEET-UG 2024 results and advocate for a fresh examination. Allegations of paper leakage and malpractices during the test have prompted aspirants to approach the court, highlighting issues such as the purported leak of question papers, the awarding of compensatory marks, and irregularities in exam questions.

The Supreme Court is now actively considering these petitions, aiming to address the pressing concerns raised by the NEET-UG aspirants across the country. This development marks a pivotal moment as the judiciary prepares to deliberate on the future course of action regarding one of India’s most critical entrance examinations.

As the legal proceedings unfold, stakeholders await further updates from the Supreme Court regarding the fate of NEET-UG 2024 and the implications for thousands of aspirants nationwide.

CUET-UG Test 2024: NTA To Hold Retest For Impacted Candidates On July 19

July 15, 2024, 5:58 am

The National Testing Agency is set to hold a retest for impacted candidates of the Central University Entrance Test (CUET-UG) in CBT manner (Computer-Based Test) on July 19.

Earlier, NTA held the test in hybrid manner (CBT and Pen & Paper) on May 15, 16, 17, 18, 21, 22, 24 and May 29, 2024 at several locations in 379 cities including in 26 cities outside India for 13.48 lakh candidates.

Later, the challenges were called from July 7 to 9, 2024 via public notice. All challenges submitted were sent to concerned subject experts. Taking feedback of subject experts into account, the final answer keys is being prepared and it will upload soon on CUET (UG)-2024’s website.

Issuing public notice, senior director of NTA said, ‘The grievances received from candidates up to June 30, 2024, regarding the CUET (UG) – 2024 examination, as well as the complaints sent to rescuetug@nta.ac.in between July 7 and July 9, 2024 (before 5:00 p.m.), have been reviewed. Based on these grievances, a re-examination will be conducted for those affected candidates on July 19, 2024, Friday, in the computer-Based Test (CBT) mode.’

Moreover, the NTA also announced, that information to impacted candidates has been given via email with their subject’s code.

In addition, the public notice also announced, that admit cards will be issued soon. Candidates are required to download Admit Card of CUET (UG)-2024 (with application no. & DOB) from the official website- https://exams.nta.ac.in/CUET-UG/.

In case of an inconvenience, candidates can contact at this number- 011-40759000/011-69227700 or e-mail at cuet-ug@nta.ac.in.

For further updates regarding exams, candidates can check NTA website www.nta.ac.in and https://exams.nta.ac.in/CUET-UG/.

CUET UG 2024: Candidates Report Errors In Answer Keys; Objection Window Closes Today

July 9, 2024, 11:12 am

New Delhi: The National Testing Agency (NTA) will close the objection window for the CUET UG 2024 answer key today, July 9, 2024, at 5 PM. Candidates can challenge the answers online by paying a fee of Rs 200 per answer. Many candidates have alleged that the answer keys contain incorrect responses.

These claims surfaced a day after the NTA released the answer keys. In response, the agency has announced that it will conduct a retest for CUET-UG candidates from July 15 to 19 if any grievances are found to be valid.

Candidates Speak Out:

Bishal, a candidate, shared on social media, “When I checked my Geography OMR sheet with the CUET(UG) answer key, I was shocked because 80% of the answer key was wrong. According to the wrong answer key, I only got 26 marks, but in reality, I should get 122. Seventeen of my answers were correct.”

When I checked my GEOGRAPHY OMR sheet with the CUET(UG) answer key. I am shocked Because 80% of the answer key was wrong. When I calculated the number with the wrong answer key that NTA provides,I only got 26 but in reality I will get 122 . Where my 17 questions are correct. pic.twitter.com/nVyXZGv8ZU

— Bishal Bhowmik (@BishalB73540991) July 7, 2024

Karishma, another candidate, wrote, “Just checked my CUET UG 2024 Answer Key for Mass Media. NTA, do you make your answer keys while sleeping? Almost all answers are wrong except for a few questions. What are you doing?”

Just checked my CUET UG 2024 Answer Key for Mass media. A question to NTA do you make your answer keys while sleeping? The entire mass media answer key except for few questions is wrong. What are you doing? #cuetug2024 #nta

— KK??? (@kkarishmagrawal) July 7, 2024

Ragini Nayak, Congress spokesperson, raised concerns about a Psychology question that had a discrepancy. “The correct answer according to the NCERT book is ‘crowd,’ but the NTA’s answer key lists it as ‘audience.’ This puts students in a tough spot.”

NTA ने अभ्यार्थियों का भविष्य नष्ट करने का बीड़ा उठा लिया है
और मोदी सरकार चादर तान सो रही है

अब CUET में धांधली देखिए

सवाल-जैसे ही सड़क पर दुर्घटना हुई, उस जगह बहुत लोग इकट्ठे हो गए

ये किसका उदाहरण है?

NCERT की किताब में जवाब है Crowd
NTA की Answer Key में जवाब है Audience… pic.twitter.com/mniFaLW2YV

— Dr. Ragini Nayak (@NayakRagini) July 7, 2024

NTA’s Response:

The NTA stated that a panel of subject experts will verify the challenges made by candidates. If any challenge is found correct, the answer key will be revised and applied to all candidates’ responses. The final result will be prepared based on the revised answer key, but individual candidates will not be informed about the acceptance or rejection of their challenges.

Background:

The CUET-UG 2024 entrance test was held on May 15 to 29 in a hybrid format. It was canceled in Delhi the night before the exam due to logistical reasons and was later conducted in the capital. This year, over 13.4 lakh candidates registered for the test for admission to undergraduate courses in 261 central, state, deemed, and private universities.

The delay in CUET-UG results adds to ongoing concerns about irregularities in other competitive exams like NEET and NET.

Supreme Court Hears NEET UG 2024 Irregularities Today

July 8, 2024, 12:30 pm

The Supreme Court will hear a series of pleas today concerning the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) UG 2024. The hearing will focus on alleged irregularities and calls for a re-test due to accusations of paper leaks.

Key Details of the Hearing

Date: July 8, 2024
Bench: Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud, Justices J B Pardiwala, and Manoj Misra
Number of Petitions: 38 concerning NEET UG 2024

Background

The NEET UG 2024 exam was held on May 5, 2024, across hundreds of centers in India. Results were declared on June 4, 2024, ten days earlier than scheduled. This year’s exam saw 67 toppers, which led to protests and demands for a re-test due to alleged irregularities in the marking system and paper leaks.

Response from Authorities

The Centre and the National Testing Agency (NTA), responsible for conducting the exam, argued that canceling the exam would harm honest candidates without proof of large-scale breaches. They also canceled grace marks for 1,563 candidates and offered them a re-test option.

Stay tuned for live updates on the Supreme Court’s decision regarding NEET UG 2024.

Jairam slams govt over delay in CUET results, says NTA has no profession expertise of its own

July 3, 2024, 4:29 pm

New Delhi: Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Wednesday hit out at the government over the delay in the results of Common University Entrance Test (CUET) saying the NTA, which is under the Ministry of Education, has no professional expertise of its own and depends entirely on private vendors–some with dubious credentials–for the ACTUAL testing.

In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Ramesh, who is Congress General Secretary and communication incharge said, “The totally discredited National Testing Agency (NTA) had earlier announced that the results for the Common University Entrance Test (CUET) would be declared on June 30th. Now it appears that they might be declared on July 10th.”

“It is worth recalling that NTA’s chairman has not been shifted out as part of the clean-up following the NEET and NET fiascos,” he said.

The Congress leader also said that “it is also worth recalling that the NTA, which is under the Ministry of Education, has no professional expertise of its own and depends entirely on private vendors–some with dubious credentials–for the ACTUAL testing”.

“CUET is one reason why more and more youngsters are looking to go abroad for undergraduate education,” he added.

The NTA has come down under severe attack of the opposotion over the alleged rigging and paper leaks in the NEET exams. Even the exams of NEET UG were cancelled.

The Congress-led opposotion has been demanding for a Supreme Cpurt monitored probe over the NEET exam results issue.

PIB Debunks Fake Videos: NTA Website Secure, CUET Boxes Properly Stored

June 27, 2024, 11:32 pm

Two viral videos regarding the National Testing Agency (NTA) website have been debunked as fake by the Press Information Bureau (PIB) and clarified by the NTA. One video falsely claimed that the NTA’s website had been hacked until June 18, with its data sold on the Dark Web. The other alleged that Common University Entrance Test (CUET) boxes were stored in the open with their seals broken.

These are empty boxes kept outside the hall at NTA and do not have any sensitive material inside them. Never did we keep these boxes in open, as being reported by the media. Also, we have sufficient number of security personnel deployed at the place where boxes are kept. pic.twitter.com/QBFukSEHG3

— National Testing Agency (@NTA_Exams) June 27, 2024

The PIB’s fact-check confirmed that both videos were fake. The NTA clarified on social media that the CUET boxes shown in the video were empty and did not contain any sensitive material, and were never left unguarded. The NTA also reassured the public that its website and online portals are fully secure, dismissing claims of data compromise as baseless.

एक वीडियो में दावा किया जा रहा है कि NTA परिसर में खुले आसमान के नीचे CUET परीक्षा के बक्से रखे हुए हैं। बक्सों के सील टूटे हुए हैं। #PIBFactCheck

✅ यह दावा पूर्णतः फर्जी है

✅ NTA परिसर में हॉल के बाहर रखे गए बक्से खाली है एवं इनमें परीक्षा संबंधी सामग्री नहीं है pic.twitter.com/HVK6mGT0AM

— PIB Fact Check (@PIBFactCheck) June 27, 2024

Amid these allegations, student groups under ‘India against NTA’ continued their protest at Jantar Mantar for the second day, demanding justice for NEET applicants and calling for the dissolution of the NTA. The protests, which included participation from several newly elected MPs, were organized by Left-backed student groups like the All India Students Association (AISA) and the Krantikari Yuva Sangathan (KYS).

It’s being claimed in a video that @NTA_Exams‘s website was hacked until June 18 & its data was sold on dark web#PIBFactCheck

✔️The claim is #Fake

✔️Any info regarding website being compromised & hacked is false & baseless

✔️NTA website & all its web portals are fully secure pic.twitter.com/wg7ThX7Da3

— PIB Fact Check (@PIBFactCheck) June 27, 2024

The protests were sparked by allegations of paper leaks in exams such as NEET-UG, PG, and UGC-NET, which were amplified after NEET-UG results were announced on June 4. Demonstrators are demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and the scrapping of the NTA, citing ongoing issues with examination integrity.

NEET Exam Row: Patna Court Sends Accused Baldev Kumar, Mukesh Kumar to CBI Remand

June 26, 2024, 7:34 pm

The Special CBI Court in Patna has sent two accused in the NEET question paper leak case to CBI remand following a request from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Wednesday. Accused Baldev Kumar, also known as Chintu, and Mukesh Kumar were remanded to CBI custody as the investigation into the NEET-UG question paper leak case continues. Currently, 18 accused individuals have been placed in custody for interrogation.

The hearing in the NEET paper leak case was completed today before CBI Special Judicial Magistrate Harsh Vardhan Singh. The CBI presented its decision in the court regarding the application to take the accused on remand. Subsequently, the court sent Chintu Kumar and Mukesh Kumar on CBI remand, allowing the CBI to conduct further interrogation.

In a related development, the Union Health Ministry postponed the National Eligibility and Entrance Test postgraduate (NEET-PG) 2024 examination, initially scheduled for June 23. President of the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences, Abhijat Sheth, stated on Tuesday that the standard operating procedures and protocols would be reviewed promptly, with the next examination date to be announced by next week. This statement followed a review meeting between officials of the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences and the Union Health Ministry, held to assess the situation and the input received before the examination was postponed.

The postponement of the NEET-PG 2024 examinations comes amid rising controversy over alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG exam held on May 5. The Bihar government issued a notification on Monday, officially handing over the NEET-UG paper leak case to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for a thorough probe. Following this, the CBI formed special teams to investigate the case comprehensively, as announced in a statement on Sunday.

The National Testing Agency (NTA) conducted the NEET (UG) Examination on May 5, 2024, in OMR (pen and paper) mode. Reports of alleged irregularities, cheating, impersonation, and malpractices have surfaced, prompting the Ministry of Education, Government of India, to entrust the matter to the CBI for a comprehensive investigation. The NTA faces criticism over these alleged irregularities, resulting in protests and demands to disband the agency. An unprecedented 67 candidates achieved a perfect score of 720 out of 720, further fueling concerns.

In response to the controversy, the Centre removed Subodh Kumar Singh, the director general of the NTA, and replaced him with retired Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer Pradeep Singh Kharola. Kharola, Chairman and Managing Editor of the India Trade Promotion Organisation, has been given additional charge as the director general of the NTA “till the appointment of a regular incumbent or until further orders.”

Additionally, the government constituted a seven-member committee to recommend ways to improve the NTA’s functioning. Nearly 24 lakh students appeared for the NEET-UG 2024 for undergraduate medical courses on May 5. The results were announced on June 4, ten days ahead of schedule, but allegations of question paper leaks and grace marks to over 1,500 students triggered widespread protests and legal challenges, including a pending Supreme Court hearing scheduled for July 8.

On Wednesday, the Education Ministry cancelled the UGC-NET exam, also conducted by the NTA, just a day after it was held, affecting over 9 lakh candidates. The exam determines eligibility for assistant professor posts in universities and colleges and junior research fellowships. Pradhan revealed that the UGC chairman received information from the cyber crime team in the Home Ministry about the questions being on the darknet. The CSIR UGC NET, similar to the UGC NET but for science students, was postponed on Friday, and NEET PG was pushed back on Saturday.

The INDI alliance, which won 232 seats in the recently held Lok Sabha elections and prevented the BJP from securing a majority on its own, has also been critical of the Centre over this issue.

Cancelled dreams: NET & NEET storm and the new law

June 25, 2024, 4:32 am

The National Testing Agency (NTA) is an independent organization created by the Government of India to administer admission and eligibility examinations for higher education institutions. The main goal is to provide equitable, transparent, and uniform testing procedures nationwide. Since its establishment, the NTA has been tasked with overseeing a range of important examinations, such as the NET and NEET (UG), CUET, GPAT, CMAT that have significant impacts on academic and professional sphere in India.

Establishment of this agency was aimed to ensure the integrity and dependability of these tests by establishing strong security measures, employing cutting-edge technology, and adhering to stringent standards. Nevertheless, recent disputes, such as the purported leakage of the NEET paper and the abrupt termination of the NET exam, have prompted doubts regarding its effectiveness and highlighted the necessity for ongoing enhancements and increased responsibility to fulfil the expectations of candidates and stakeholders.

The National Eligibility Test (NET) in India is a vital test for those seeking to pursue careers in academia and research. It is administered by the National Testing Agency (NTA). The NET test acts as a means for applicants to qualify for the position of Assistant Professor and get Junior Research Fellowships (JRF) at Indian institutions and colleges. The exam is conducted biannually and evaluates applicants’ expertise in many fields and their ability to do research.

The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET)- UG is the primary entrance test for candidates who wish to enter undergraduate medical and dentistry degrees (MBBS/BDS) in India. Administered on a yearly basis by the NTA, NEET guarantees a standardized and competence-driven procedure for accepting students into medical institutions throughout the nation.

The National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (Undergraduate) or NEET-UG (medical entrance examination) was administered by the NTA on May 5 and the results were announced on June 4. The exam, which is currently making headlines due to allegations of question paper leakage and irregularities, attracted approximately 24 lakh students. Unprecedented in the history of NTA, a total of 67 candidates achieved All-India Rank 1. Reports of paper breaches and the distribution of grace marks have raised concerns about the integrity of the exam since that time.

The NTA also conducted University Grants Commission-National Eligibility Test (UGC-NET) exam on June 18 but it was cancelled by the Ministry of Education, Government of India, on June 19, one day after it was administered, in order to guarantee the utmost transparency and integrity of the examination process. The report which came the very next day from a preliminary investigation said that the question paper was leaked 48 hours prior to the exam. The paper was sold for Rs 6 lakh on the dark web and encrypted social media platforms, according to the report.

The National Cyber Crime Threat Analytics Unit of the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre under the Ministry of Home Affairs provided the University Grants Commission (UGC) with specific inputs regarding the examination on June 19, 2024. Prima facie, these inputs suggest that the integrity of the aforementioned examination may have been compromised. The protest that happened after the notice by NTA to cancel the exam was out, was attended by a significant number of students, including members of political organizations such as the Students’ Federation of India (SFI), All India Students Association (AISA), Democratic Students’ Front (DSF), Krantikari Yuva Sangathan (KYS), and Congress-affiliated NSUI. The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), which is affiliated with the RSS, also organized protests on the north campus of Delhi University and the Jawaharlal Nehru University.

VOICES OF DISTRESS

Thousands of applicants are in shock at the unexpected cancellation of the NET test, which has left candidates who spent months, preparing rigorously feeling severely emotionally and psychologically damaged. The sudden cancelation of the exam, together with the build-up to it, have left me feeling quite frustrated and let down. Furthermore, a large number of applicants had to bear a heavy financial load by paying for lodging, transportation, and other associated fees just to have their efforts in vain. Outside of the financial ramifications, the time and energy spent getting ready for the test are priceless. Many times, juggling other obligations, candidates carefully plan only to have their dreams dashed. The widespread anguish highlights how deeply these administrative mistakes affect the lives of conscientious professionals and students. Students now expect a similar response for the NEET test due to the precedent the cancellation of the NET exam has set. Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan accepted full responsibility for it. He also announced the creation of a high-level committee to improve the National Testing Agency’s (NTA) operations, examination procedures, transparency, and data security measures.

The law

In February, President Droupadi Murmu signed the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Bill into law. The bill was adopted by the Centre with the goal of preventing leaks, malpractices, and organized cheating in recruitment exams such as UPSC and SSC, as well as admission tests such as NEET, JEE, CUET, and NET.

PUNISHMENTS UNDER THE LAW

The Punishments under Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024 proposes that unfair means be punishable by imprisonment for three to five years with a fine of up to Rs 10 lakh.

In case a person, group or persons commits an organised crime of this nature which includes the examination authority, service providers or any other institutions, they will be punished with imprisonment of five to 10 years with a minimum fine of Rs 1 crore.

The law empowers agencies to attach and forfeit the properties of institutions involved in committing organised crime for the proportionate recovery of the cost of examination.

The law also states that an officer of the rank of deputy superintendent of police or assistant commissioner of police will be responsible for investigating any complaints under the Act.

Despite the fact that the recently enforced Act cannot be applied retrospectively to the accused of NET & NEET-UG paper leak, this law is a hope to establish a more effective approach to address similar instances in future. It emphasizes how important it is to preserve test fairness and integrity. It is crucial to provide top priority to secure and transparent testing procedures in order to guarantee an impartial evaluation process for every applicant.

NET Loss: An Education System in Crisis

June 24, 2024, 10:26 pm

In the busy corridors of the Ministry of Education, where stacks of paperwork mount and bureaucrats scurry with an urgency that belies the chaotic nature of their tasks, an important decision was made. The announcement of the cancellation of both the NEET and NET exams reverberated through the academic sector, leaving a trail of confusion and frustration. Students, who had dedicated countless hours to mastering formulas and theories, were left bewildered and disheartened. It appears the system had once again played its hand in a game of bureaucratic roulette.

The Education Ministry’s response to the NET scandal contrasts sharply with its handling of the ongoing NEET fiasco, hinting at some lessons learned. Acting on inputs from the Home Ministry’s cybercrime team, the Ministry swiftly cancelled the UGC-NET and promised a fresh examination, without waiting for formal complaints from candidates. This proactive approach stands in stark contrast to the NEET case, where the Ministry has been sluggish, despite multiple allegations and police complaints of paper leaks. The Ministry has requested a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into the NET incident, while NEET aspirants continue to demand a similar investigation without success.

However, for the over nine lakh UGC-NET candidates who prepared for months and travelled long distances to their examination centres, often taking loans to cover expenses, this swift action offers little consolation. These young people deserve answers, yet many questions remain unanswered.

Firstly, there is the issue of why the NET, which was an offline exam conducted by the CBSE until 2018, became an online exam under the NTA, only to revert to an offline format this year. The offline, pen-and-paper format is more vulnerable to paper leaks, raising concerns about the decision’s logic. As the investigation unfolds, transparency is crucial to restoring the NTA’s trustworthiness in the eyes of the candidates.

Secondly, accountability and punishment of the guilty are essential. The government must consider a comprehensive overhaul of the NTA’s systems and personnel to prevent future technical glitches, cheating scams, paper leaks, and proxy candidates. With the fate of lakhs of educated youth and the youngest voters at stake, the NTA’s issues have become a significant political issue.

Some Opposition leaders have called for dismantling the NTA and transferring responsibility for entrance examinations to the States. This could mitigate the central government’s tendency to conduct massive, unwieldy examinations, which are harder to manage across a vast and diverse nation. However, national examinations will always be necessary, and the States must collaborate with the Centre to restore the integrity of the examination system.

In this turbulent scenario, one thing is clear: the young minds of India deserve a reliable, fair, and transparent examination system. The cancellation of the NEET and NET exams, while shocking, may serve as a wake-up call for the government to address the systemic issues plaguing the education sector. For now, the bewildered students, at the heart of this academic storm, await clarity and justice.

The sudden cancellation of the University Grants Commission-National Eligibility Test (UGC-NET) examination, just a day after it was conducted, is a significant embarrassment for the Centre and a betrayal of the faith reposed by lakhs of candidates. The decision was attributed to intelligence reports suggesting the examination, essential for appointing assistant professors, awarding junior research fellowships, and PhD admissions, may have been compromised. Allegations of paper leakage have marred the test, for which over 11 lakh candidates registered. The Education Ministry acted on inputs from the National Cyber Crime Threat Analytics Unit of the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre, exposing the loopholes in conducting a prestigious national-level test that determines the fate of hundreds of thousands of candidates.

The NEET-UG exam this year was similarly marred by allegations of paper leaks, malpractice, and discrepancies in results, with 13 people arrested so far. The NTA, after these twin debacles, faces a severe credibility crisis. The CBI’s involvement in the investigation underscores the seriousness of the situation, but the damage is done, and public trust is eroded.

The central government has spoken about setting up a high-level committee to recommend an overhaul of the examination processes. This overhaul must involve domain experts, educationists, and all other stakeholders, rather than unilateral impositions of new guidelines. The recent enactment of the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, providing for stringent penalties for unfair practices, underscores the need for integrity in the examination system.

The education system is the heart of our society, shaping the future of millions. Repeated breaches in the examination process are not merely administrative failures but betrayals of the trust students place in the system. India’s youth deserve a fair chance to prove their merit without the shadow of corruption. The cancellation of the NET and NEET exams should be a catalyst for comprehensive reforms to ensure a transparent, reliable, and fair examination system.

CUET UG Result 2024 Delayed: NTA Yet To Release Answer Key

June 24, 2024, 6:20 pm

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has stated in its information bulletin that the CUET UG Result 2024 is expected to be announced tentatively on June 30, 2024. However, as of now, the provisional answer key has not been released by the NTA. Typically, the NTA releases the provisional answer key first, allowing candidates to raise objections within a window of 2-3 days. Based on the objections received, the final answer key and result are prepared.

Many candidates are expressing concern and searching for information on whether the CUET Result 2024 is delayed, especially in light of the NEET paper leak controversy that has kept the NTA occupied. There is apprehension among candidates that this delay might impact the admission cycle for CUET as well. However, the NTA has not issued any official statement regarding the delay, and the official website has not been updated with new information.

The CUET (UG) – 2024 exam was conducted by the NTA in a hybrid mode, including both Computer-Based Testing (CBT) and Pen & Paper modes, for over 13.8 Lakh candidates. The exam took place at various Examination Centers across 380 cities, including 26 cities outside India.

There are reports suggesting that the NTA is carefully reviewing the answer key before its release to avoid any discrepancies. Candidates are eagerly awaiting the CUET UG answer key, response sheet, and question papers, which are expected to be published soon. However, as the NTA has not provided a specific release date for the answer key, candidates are advised to wait for the official announcement.

The CUET UG Exam 2024 was conducted on May 15, 16, 17, 18, 21, 22, 24, and 29, 2024, in a hybrid mode. Typically, based on the pattern from previous years, the answer key should have been released by June 10. However, there has been a delay in the release of results this year.

NEET-UG Exam Controversy: ‘Solver Gang’ Received Solved Question Paper’s PDF Before Exam, Reveals Bihar’s Economic Offences Unit

June 24, 2024, 11:25 am

As the NEET-UG Exam controversy continues to rage over the country, Bihar’s Economic Offences Unit has recently announced, that they have detained a member of the ‘solver gang’. Who received the question paper’s PDF on his phone, a day before the exam.

Issuing the statement, Bihar’s police agency said, ‘Based on the available evidence, the solved question papers of NEET UG-2024 examination held on 05.05.2024 were received on mobile by this gang.’

The arrested accused Baldev Kumar, alias Chintu, is connected with alleged kingpin of ‘solver gang’ Sanjeev Kumar, who is still absconding.

The native of Bihar’s Nalanda District Baldev Kumar was staying in a rented house in Patna.

Meanwhile, the other gang members too have been detained. Their names are Mukesh Kumar, Panku Kumar, Rajeev Kumar alias Karu and Paramjit Singh alias Bittu.

Already prior to the arrest, Mukesh Kumar, Karu and Paramjit Singh were registered as accused under EOU case.

According to EOU’s statement, the caught the five accused with the help of intelligence inputs and technical probe.

How were leaked papers transferred?

While trying to map the trail of question paper, EOU discovered, that the accused Baldev Kumar had acquired PDF of solved question paper on his mobile in the morning of May 5.

Later, its copies were taken from school’s Wi-Fi printer. Then the groups of candidates were constituted. After its formation, they were asked to memorize the paper.

As per EOU, the gang secretly planned to transfer the candidates. After deciding on drop-off location, they planned to take candidates to Learn Boys Hostel and Play School.

During the course of the probe, it was revealed, that a taxi was utilized to transfer candidates back and forth between drop-off location to schools.

Currently, the owner and taxi driver Mukesh Kumar has arrested. Along with his arrest, his vehicle too has been seized.

The Case of Half-burnt Paper

Moreover, during the investigation, the roll code details of 15 candidates were also found. It has now been received by NTA.

Later, the semi-burnt question paper recovered from Learn Boys Hostel and Play School was also received by NTA.

Talking about the half-burnt paper, EOU said,

‘After receiving the desired report related to the Serial Code of the half-burned question paper seized from N.T.A in the evening of 20 June, 2024, it became clear that the half-burned question paper recovered from Learn Boys Hostel and Play School, Ramakrishna Nagar for the NEET UG-2024 examination. The serial code is of the examination centre of Oasis School Kallu Chowk, Mandai Road of District Hazaribagh, Jharkhand. This has been verified. In the course of verification, prima facie, the polybag suspected of packing the question paper from the concerned examination centre of Hazaribagh, the packing of the original question paper recovered from the concerned candidate and the preliminary investigation in the related packing trunk, all these have been found to be tampered with and all these Suspicious exhibits have been duly confiscated.’

Besides half-burnt paper, the copy of SIMs was also given to Baldev along with others. In Jharkhand, a shady envelope box was also seized. Thus, hinting at the presence of inter-state gang.

So far, the case has now been transferred to CBI for further investigation into the matter.

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.

NEET-UG Re-Test Sees 750 Absentees Out Of 1,563 Students: Report NTA

June 23, 2024, 7:44 pm

The National Testing Agency (NTA) reported that a substantial number of candidates who were awarded grace marks in the NEET-UG exam chose not to appear for the re-test held on Sunday. Out of the 1,563 candidates eligible for the re-test, approximately 750 did not show up, while 813 candidates did participate across designated centres in Chandigarh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Haryana, and Meghalaya.

In Chhattisgarh, 291 out of 602 eligible candidates appeared for the examination, while in Haryana, 287 out of 494 candidates attended. Meghalaya saw 234 out of 464 candidates taking the re-test, with no candidates showing up in Chandigarh and only one in Gujarat.

The re-test was necessitated after the NTA withdrew grace marks provided to compensate for delays in exam start times at six centres during the initial NEET-UG session. This move came amidst controversy over inflated scores, with six students achieving a perfect 720 marks alongside 61 others, prompting concerns about score manipulation.

NEET-UG, a crucial examination for admission to MBBS, BDS, AYUSH, and related courses across government and private institutions, has been marred by allegations of irregularities, including question paper leaks in states like Bihar. The anomalies led to widespread protests and legal challenges, resulting in the Bihar Police making arrests related to the alleged paper leak, including prime suspect Sikandar Yadavendu.

In response to the uproar, the Central government has taken swift action, removing NTA director general Subodh Singh and transferring the investigation to the CBI. Additionally, a seven-member committee has been appointed to review the NTA’s operations and propose reforms to improve exam conduct and transparency.

Confirming the gravity of the situation, the CBI has filed an FIR regarding the alleged irregularities, marking a significant development in the ongoing investigation. The controversy surrounding NEET-UG continues to unfold as stakeholders await further updates and reforms in the examination process.

Who is Pradeep Singh Kharola, Man Who Has Replaced Subodh Kumar Singh as DG of NTA?

June 22, 2024, 11:12 pm

Pradeep Singh Kharola has been appointed as the new Director General of the National Testing Agency (NTA), taking over from Subodh Kumar Singh, who has been removed and placed on “compulsory wait” in the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) amid ongoing controversies over exam irregularities. This change in leadership comes as the government faces allegations of paper leaks in the NEET-UG exams, prompting the cancellation of the UGC-NET and the postponement of the CSIR-UGC NET.

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan had earlier indicated that the top leadership of the NTA was under scrutiny due to these alleged irregularities. Although he denied any paper leaks in the CSIR-UGC NET, the postponement of the exam has added to the growing concerns about the integrity of the examination process.

The National Testing Agency, established in November 2017 under the Indian Societies Registration Act, 1860, is an autonomous body responsible for conducting various entrance examinations for admissions to higher educational institutions. These exams include NEET, JEE, CTET, GATE, GPAT, GMAT, CAT, UGC-NET, and CSIR-UGC NET. The NTA is chaired by Pradeep Kumar Joshi, a former chairman of the UPSC.

Pradeep Singh Kharola, a 1985 batch IAS officer of the Karnataka cadre, has a distinguished career, including his tenure as the head of Air India starting in November 2017, during which the government attempted but failed to privatize the airline. He later became the civil aviation secretary in 2019 and has been serving as the chairman of the India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO) since 2022. Kharola has now been given additional charge of the NTA until a regular appointment is made.

NEET-UG Exam: 1,563 Candidates To Come For The Retest At 7 Centers

June 22, 2024, 1:27 pm

The National Testing Agency (NTA) is set to hold the NEET-UG retest for 1,563 candidates tomorrow June 23, 2024.

The officials of Union education ministry will also be present at the exam centre, said senior NTA official on Friday.

The retest is being conducted following the removal of grace marks to students, which were given as compensation for the delay in starting the exam at six centres- Meghalaya, Haryana, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat and Chandigarh.

As a result, six students acquired perfect 720 score. Thus, triggering the allegations of inflating marks. The retest will be conducted at seven centres and out of 7, six of them are new.

Speaking about new exam centre senior NTA official said,

‘While all other examination centres have changed, the one in Chandigarh, where only two candidates will appear, will remain the same.’

In addition, both the officials of agency and Union education ministry will there at these centres.

‘Besides, officials from the agency and the Union education ministry will also be present at these centres. The step has been taken to ensure smooth conduct of the re-exam.’ said official.

Earlier on Thursday, union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan had clarified on the possibility of cancelling NEET exams, saying cannot put student’s life at stake, who rightfully cleared the exam.

What Is CSIR UGC-NET Exams? & Why It Was Postponed By NTA–Explained

June 22, 2024, 12:53 pm

In another instance of canceling and postponing exams, the national testing agency has postponed the exams for the Joint Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and University Grants Commission (UGC) National Eligibility Test (NET) on Friday.

These examinations were to be conducted from June 25 to June 27, 2024.

Why CSIR-NET Exams Postponed?

As per NTA, these exams were being postponed due to the presence of unavoidable circumstances and associated logistical issues.

Speaking to Hindustan Times, a senior NTA official opined, with cancellation of UGC-NET exams and the impending retest of NEET, it is currently impossible to conduct exams right away.

However, the NTA will re-schedule the exam and announce the results as early as possible.

‘NTA will soon reschedule the exam and declare results at the earliest so that the academic session does not get affected.’ said official.

Brief Information On CSIR-UGC-NET Examination

The joint examination of CSIR UGC NET is conducted to determine eligibility for the Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) and Lectureship (LS)/Assistant Professor roles in Indian universities and colleges.

The examination covers five science subjects: Life Science, Earth Science, Physical Science, Chemical Science, and Mathematics, in contrast to UGC-NET, which primarily focuses on humanities subjects.

Candidates who qualify for JRF are subsequently eligible for Lectureship/Assistant Professor roles provided they meet the UGC’s criteria.

Additionally, some candidates qualify exclusively for Lectureship/Assistant Professor roles based on their test performance, and their qualifications remain valid indefinitely.

The Applications for the test are opened twice a year via countrywide press notifications.

Moreover, the fellowship of Joint CSIR-UGC NET is a fixed-term grant with no guaranteed job, which includes a stipend of ₹31,000 per month for the initial two years and an annual contingent grant of ₹20,000.

For further updates related to CSIR exam, check the official website (https://csimnet.nta.ac.in) or contact NTA Help Desk at 011-40759000 or 011-69227700, or email csimet@nta.ac.in.

NTA Postpones CSIR-UGC-NET Amid Exam Scandles, Centre Enacts Law With 1 Crore Fine | 10 Key Points

June 22, 2024, 10:17 am

Amid a significant controversy regarding irregularities in the NEET-UG exam and the cancellation of the UGC-NET entrance test, the National Testing Agency (NTA) announced on Friday the postponement of the June edition of the Joint Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and University Grants Commission (UGC) National Eligibility Test (NET). This test determines eligibility for junior research fellowships and PhD admissions in science disciplines.

The government also enacted a stringent law to eliminate malpractices in competitive examinations. This law includes severe punitive measures for those involved in such offenses, with penalties reaching up to a 10-year jail term and a fine of up to Rs. 1 crore.

Here are 10 points on the NEET and UGC-NET paper leak controversy:

1. The NTA, under scrutiny for the UGC-NET exam cancellation due to a paper leak, postponed the CSIR-UGC-NET citing unavoidable circumstances and logistical issues. “The Joint CSIR-UGC-NET Examination June-2024, scheduled to be held between 25.06.2024 and 27.06.2024, is being postponed due to unavoidable circumstances as well as logistic issues. The revised schedule for the conduct of this examination will be announced later through the official website,” stated the NTA in a circular.

2. The Congress party criticized the BJP-led Central government over this development. Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh remarked, “Yet another NTA exam postponed. This time it is the CSIR-UGC-NET. Clearly, NTA has become Narendra’s Trauma Agency for youth.”

3. The CSIR-UGC-NET exam is held biannually—in June and December—in five subjects: Chemical Sciences, Earth, Atmospheric, Ocean and Planetary Sciences, Life Sciences, Mathematical Sciences, and Physical Sciences. The computer-based test results are crucial for admissions to premier institutions like IITs and Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research (IISERs). More than 2 lakh students were expected to take the exam, with over 1.75 lakh having appeared for it in December last year.

4. The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024 was notified by the personnel ministry on Friday night. The law’s provisions took effect on June 21, following President Droupadi Murmu’s approval four months earlier. “In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (2) of section 1 of the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024 (1 of 2024), the Central Government hereby appoints the 21st day of June, 2024, as the date on which the provisions of the said Act shall come into force,” the notification stated.

5. Passed by the Rajya Sabha on February 9 and the Lok Sabha on February 6, the law received the President’s assent on February 12. It covers exams conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), Staff Selection Commission (SSC), railways, banking recruitment exams, and the NTA. The law prescribes five to 10 years of imprisonment and a minimum fine of ₹1 crore for those involved in organized cheating crimes.

6. The BJP government has called for a CBI probe into the UGC-NET exam cancellation. Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan announced that the exam was canceled after authorities discovered the question paper on the darknet, which was also being circulated on Telegram.

7. Minister Pradhan attributed the paper leak to an institutional failure of the NTA. He assured that a reform committee would be formed and actions would be taken. “The paper leak is an institutional failure of NTA. We are assuring you that there will be a reform committee and action will be taken,” he stated.

8. The Supreme Court on Saturday declined to halt the NEET exam counseling. Medical aspirants have alleged irregularities, noting that 67 students achieved perfect scores in one of the country’s most challenging tests. There is also dissatisfaction regarding grace marks, with the agency asking over 1500 students to retake the medical entrance test.

9. Authorities arrested four individuals in Bihar, including a medical aspirant, for the alleged NEET-UG 2024 exam paper leak.

10. Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra criticized the government over irregularities in competitive exams. “In the last five years, papers of 43 recruitment exams have been leaked in the country. Paper leak has become a national problem of our country under BJP rule which has ruined the future of crores of youth so far. India is the youngest country in the world. We have the largest youth population. Instead of making these youth skilled and capable, the BJP government is making them weak,” she alleged.

NTA Postpones CSIR UGC-NET Amidst ‘Logistical’ Challenges And ‘Unavoidable Circumstances’

June 21, 2024, 10:00 pm

The National Testing Agency (NTA) announced on Friday the postponement of the Joint CSIR-UGC-NET Examination June-2024 due to unavoidable circumstances and logistical issues. The exam, initially scheduled from June 25 to June 27, will have its revised dates announced later on the NTA’s official website.

This announcement follows closely on the heels of the Education Ministry’s cancellation of the UGC-NET examination. Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan disclosed that the UGC-NET paper was leaked on the Darknet, necessitating its cancellation. The UGC-NET exam determines eligibility for assistant professorships, junior research fellowships (JRF), and PhD admissions in Indian universities and colleges.

In parallel, the NTA faces allegations of irregularities in the NEET medical entrance examination, which took place on May 5 at 4,750 centers with approximately 24 lakh candidates. The results, initially expected by June 14, were released on June 4, coinciding with the Lok Sabha election vote count. This early announcement saw an unprecedented 67 students scoring a perfect 720, with six from a single center in Haryana’s Faridabad, raising suspicions about potential irregularities and the possible influence of grace marks.

Despite these controversies, the Supreme Court on Friday declined to postpone the NEET-UG counseling process, set to begin on July 6, emphasizing the complexity of the issue. Meanwhile, the NTA is preparing to conduct a retest on Sunday for 1,563 candidates who were previously awarded grace marks due to time lost at six centers.

The NTA, established in 2017 as an autonomous and self-sustaining organization, is tasked with conducting several highly competitive entrance exams, including the CSIR-UGC-NET and NEET. It aims to maintain global standards of efficiency and transparency in its operations. However, recent events have put the agency’s processes and integrity under intense scrutiny.

This Is How National Testing Agency (NTA) Selects Exam Centres: A 10-Step Process

June 21, 2024, 9:46 pm

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has recently found itself in the spotlight after the UGC-NET was cancelled due to alleged irregularities, and the NEET faced controversy. The UGC-NET is crucial for those aiming to teach in higher education, while NEET is essential for medical aspirants. Here’s a comprehensive breakdown of the unfolding situation:

Centre Selection Process: The NTA begins by identifying test centres from a pre-existing list, which includes government schools previously used by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) and the NTA itself. The performance history of these schools as exam centres is carefully reviewed.
Institutional Options: The NTA can also select institutions and colleges recognized by the All-India Council for Technical Education (AICTE).
Permission and Background Checks: Once a final list of potential centres is decided, the NTA seeks permission from the selected schools. New centres undergo a thorough background check.
Third-Party Involvement: The NTA enlists a third-party organization to conduct background checks on the exam centres and their management.
Infrastructure Assessment: This third-party evaluates the infrastructure, seating capacity, and overall condition to ensure the school can securely host exams.
Conflict of Interest: The third-party also ensures there is no conflict of interest between the exam centre management and other stakeholders.
Exclusion of Coaching Institutes: Exam centres operated by coaching institutes are strictly prohibited. The infrastructure assessment includes ensuring the centre is accessible and friendly to differently-abled individuals.
Blacklist Criteria: Any exam centre with a tainted record is blacklisted by the NTA. A virtual tour of the facility is conducted to evaluate security measures, including personnel at key entry and exit points.
NTA’s Establishment and Mandate: Established in 2017, the NTA operates as an autonomous, self-sustaining organization tasked with conducting 15 highly competitive entrance exams for admissions in higher educational institutions. It aims to conduct these exams efficiently and transparently, adhering to global standards, and also provides training for school board personnel.
Current Controversies: Despite its structured approach, the NTA is currently grappling with issues that have raised questions about its processes and the integrity of its exams.

The NTA’s systematic approach to selecting and verifying exam centres is designed to uphold the integrity and security of its exams. However, the recent controversies surrounding the UGC-NET and NEET highlight the challenges and scrutiny the agency faces in maintaining these standards.

Supreme Court Keeps NEET Counselling On Track, Sends Notice To NTA

June 21, 2024, 1:00 pm

The Supreme Court has once again refused to halt the NEET-UG 2024 counselling amidst widespread controversy over alleged irregularities in the exam’s administration. The apex court has notified the National Testing Agency.

The Supreme Court has grouped the new petitions with existing ones and scheduled them for a hearing on July 8.

On Thursday, the apex court paused proceedings in three high courts that are hearing petitions challenging the NEET-UG 2024 exam and calling for an independent investigation into alleged malpractices, including a paper leak and the awarding of grace marks.

A vacation bench of Justices Vikram Nath and SVN Bhatti issued notice on four transfer petitions filed by the National Testing Agency (NTA), which conducts NEET-UG, and 11 other petitions raising similar concerns. The matter was scheduled with a batch of pending cases on the same issue for a hearing on July 8.

This is a developing story.

Allahabad HC Dismisses NEET Aspirant’s Petition, Forged Documents Submitted

June 20, 2024, 11:08 am

On Tuesday, the Allahabad High Court dismissed a petition by a NEET-UG aspirant who alleged that the National Testing Agency (NTA) failed to declare her result and that her OMR answer sheet was torn. The court determined that the petitioner, Ayushi Patel from Lucknow, had submitted forged documents.

“NTA can take legal action in the matter,” stated Justice Rajesh Singh Chauhan in his order. The NTA informed the court that it had already decided to pursue legal action against Patel.

The court’s decision came after the NTA, following the court’s directive, presented the student’s original OMR answer sheet, which was found to be intact.

BJP Criticizes Priyanka for Backing Aspirant’s Claim Ayushi’s dramatic allegation intensified calls for the cancellation of the NEET-UG exam and was supported by Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi, who used the claim to criticize the Modi government. With the High Court ruling Ayushi’s claim to be false, the BJP criticized Priyanka and demanded an apology. “You remember this tweet by Priyanka Vadra, here is how Congress peddles fakery,” said party spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla, labeling Congress as “jhooth ki dukaan.”

In her petition filed earlier this month, Ayushi claimed that the NTA had communicated that her result would not be declared because her OMR sheet was torn. She demanded manual evaluation of her OMR sheet, a halt to admissions counseling while her petition was pending, and an inquiry into the NTA. Ayushi also claimed she should have scored 715 marks out of 720, while her actual score was 335.

Presenting the OMR sheet, scorecard, and attendance sheet, the NTA stated that the petitioner’s application number was 240411340741, which was signed by Ayushi herself. However, she had been sending emails using the application number 240411840741, altering one digit.

After examining the documents, the court concluded that Ayushi’s petition was based on forged documents. It called the situation “regrettable” and stated that the NTA was free to pursue legal action.

Before approaching the High Court, Ayushi had released a video with her claims, which gained political attention after Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi shared it and criticized the NTA. However, on June 12, the NTA clarified that Ayushi’s paper was intact and accused her of forgery, noting her actual score was lower than claimed.

“No torn OMR answer sheet was sent from any official NTA email, and the actual OMR is available and not torn. Moreover, all results are available online,” an official stated.

‘If There Is 0.001% Negligence, It Should Be Dealt With’: Supreme Court Tells Cenre, NTA

June 18, 2024, 12:09 pm

The Supreme Court on Tuesday advised the Centre and the National Testing Agency (NTA) not to approach petitions regarding NEET-UG 2024 in a confrontational manner, stating that any mistakes should be acknowledged and corrected.

The court was addressing petitions about alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG 2024 exams. The justices emphasized that even minimal negligence requires prompt and decisive action.

The Supreme Court remarked, “If there is 0.001% negligence on the part of anyone it should be thoroughly dealt with.” The court has instructed the Centre and NTA to submit their responses to the allegations of paper leaks by July 8.

CUET UG Answer Key 2024, NTA to Release All Set Provisional Answer Key Soon

June 14, 2024, 1:08 pm

The National Testing Agency (NTA) is anticipated to release the provisional answer key for the Common University Entrance Test (CUET UG 2024) soon. Once available, candidates can download it from the agency’s websites – exams.nta.ac.in/CUET-UG and cuetug-ac.ntaonline.in.

The entrance exam was held on May 15, 16, 17, 18, 21, 22, 24, and 29, 2024, in a hybrid format (CBT and Pen & Paper) across various exam centers in 379 cities, including 26 cities outside of India.

In addition to the provisional answer key, the NTA will also release the candidates’ responses and the question papers. Candidates can access these documents and the answer key using their application number and date of birth.

Following the release of the provisional key, the NTA will open an objection window, allowing candidates to submit feedback upon payment of a non-refundable fee for each question.

This year, approximately 15 lakh candidates took the undergraduate entrance test for central universities and other participating institutions. Stay updated on the latest information regarding the CUET UG answer key below.