Government Orders CBI Probe into NEET Irregularities, Sets Up Reform Panel

The Centre has taken action in response to alleged discrepancies in competitive exams, including the shunting out of National Testing Agency (NTA) Director General Subodh Singh and the handing over of the probe into irregularities in the medical entrance exam NEET-UG to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The Education Ministry has also established a seven-member panel, led by former ISRO chief K Radhakrishnan, to review the agency's functioning and recommend exam reforms. The NEET-PG entrance exam has been postponed as a result of these developments.Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan emphasized the government's commitment to transparent and error-free examinations, stating that strict action has been taken against officials and the case has been handed over to the CBI. He assured students that their interests will be safeguarded at all costs. However, the opposition, particularly the Congress party, criticized the government, alleging that the education system has been ruined under the Modi government.NTA DG Subodh Kumar Singh has been put on compulsory wait in the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) until further orders. Pradeep Singh Kharola, Chairman and Managing Director of India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO), has been assigned additional charge of the NTA until a regular incumbent is appointed.The decision to hand over the NEET-UG investigation to the CBI was made due to reported cases of irregularities, cheating, impersonation, and malpractices during the May 5 exam. The Ministry of Education announced that this move would ensure transparency in the examination process. In light of recent allegations regarding the integrity of certain competitive exams, including NEET-PG, the Union Health Ministry also decided to postpone the NEET-PG entrance exam as a precautionary measure.Pradhan denied any leak of CSIR-NET paper and attributed the postponement of the exam to logistical reasons. He emphasized that anyone involved in irregularities during NEET-UG will not be spared. The CBI is currently investigating the alleged leak of the UGC-NET paper, and Bihar Police has detained additional individuals in connection with the alleged NEET paper leak.A plea has been filed in the Supreme Court, requesting the CBI and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to investigate the alleged irregularities in NEET-UG. The petition, filed by 10 students who appeared for the exam, also seeks expedited investigation by Bihar Police and a report to be filed before the apex court. The top court had previously sought responses from the Centre, NTA, and others on various petitions related to NEET-UG.To ensure transparent and fair conduct of examinations through NTA, the Education Ministry has established a seven-member panel of experts, including former AIIMS Delhi director Randeep Guleria and Central University of Hyderabad Vice-Chancellor B J Rao. The panel aims to improve the efficiency of the examination process, address malpractices, strengthen data security protocols, and reform the NTA.The Centre has operationalized a stringent law to curb malpractices and irregularities in competitive examinations. The law entails a maximum jail term of 10 years and a fine of up to Rs 1 crore for offenders. This law was enacted nearly four months after President Droupadi Murmu's assent.Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge criticized the law, calling it a whitewash and accusing the BJP of promoting corruption and education mafia. Rahul Gandhi also expressed his disappointment with the education system under Narendra Modi's rule.Pradhan acknowledged that there has been an institutional failure regarding alleged irregularities in NEET and NET exams. He assured that nobody involved or responsible for any irregularity will be spared. He emphasized that his priority is to safeguard students' interests.The Education Ministry had sought a report from the Bihar Police's Economic Offences Unit regarding the allegations of a paper leak in NEET. The report is yet to be received, but Pradhan reiterated that anyone involved in irregularities will face consequences. He clarified that the issue in Godhra was not a paper leak but organized cheating, resulting in the debarring of 30 students.The NEET-UG examination took place on May 5, with around 24 lakh candidates appearing across 4,750 centers. The results were expected to be declared on June 14 but were announced on June 4. The NTA discovered that 67 students scored a perfect 720, which is unprecedented in its history. However, suspicions arose due to the presence of six students from a center in Haryana's Faridabad on the list.Controversy also arose over the awarding of grace marks to students at six centers to compensate for lost time. The Centre later informed the Supreme Court that these grace marks would be scrapped, and the affected students would have the option of a retest. The NTA will conduct the retest for these students on Sunday.NEET-UG is an examination conducted by the NTA for admissions to MBBS, BDS, AYUSH, and other related courses in government and private institutions across India.