NEET UG 2024 Controversy: Centre Seeks States’ Help for Fair Exams

The Union government has asked states to help ensure that central entrance exams are conducted fairly, as reported by the Indian Express. The Centre has requested that each exam centre have one civil and one police observer during future exams.

This request comes after controversies surrounding alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG 2024 exam and the cancellation of the UGC-NET exam due to claims of a paper leak. As a precaution, the Centre has also rescheduled two other exams: NEET-PG and CSIR-UGC NET.

Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla made this request during a meeting with Chief Secretaries and Police heads of all states last week, according to the Indian Express. Bhalla asked for states’ help in overseeing upcoming exams, including the All India Ayush Postgraduate Entrance Test (AIAPGET) and the Foreign Medical Graduate Exam (FMGE) on July 6.

The AIAPGET, conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) for the Ayush Ministry, is for admissions to MD/MS programs in Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy. The FMGE, conducted by the National Board of Examination (NBE) under the Health Ministry, is for overseas medical graduates who want to practice medicine in India.

On July 4, the Kerala Cyber Police registered a case after a social media post claimed that the FMGE question paper and answer key were for sale.

In addition to asking for two extra observers, the Centre has also asked states to appoint a state-level nodal officer to coordinate with the exam-conducting agency. Currently, the test-conducting agency appoints one observer at each exam centre.

The controversy over NEET-UG and other exams has led to a political clash, with opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, calling for a debate on the issue during the recent Parliament session. The Opposition has accused the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Union government of damaging the careers of many young people.