NEET Spotlight: Exams Affected by Paper Leaks and Last-Minute Cancellations

The ongoing controversy surrounding the National Eligibility Entrance Test-Undergraduate (NEET-UG) has brought to light the issue of paper leaks and discrepancies in the examination system, affecting several crucial exams in 2024. As the Supreme Court prepares to hear cases related to alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG, aspirants are eagerly awaiting clarity on the fate of the exam.

The NEET-UG 2024 exam, which saw a record 67 students scoring a perfect 720, has been marred by allegations of irregularities and paper leaks. The National Testing Agency (NTA) initially announced the results, but later retested 1,563 candidates and revised the scores, reducing the number of top-ranked students to 61. The CBI is investigating the paper leaks, while the Education Ministry has maintained that it would be unfair to jeopardize the careers of lakhs of candidates who have cleared the exam.

The NEET-UG is not the only exam affected by paper leaks. The UGC-NET exam was cancelled after the Education Ministry received inputs that the exam’s integrity was compromised, and the paper was later found to have been leaked on the dark web. The CBI is probing the matter, and the exam is scheduled to be re-conducted from August 21 to September 4.

The UP Police Constable Recruitment Examination, which was conducted on February 17 and 18, was cancelled after allegations of paper leaks emerged. The exam, which aimed to fill 60,244 positions in the state police force, is being probed by a Special Task Force (STF) and is yet to be reconducted.

Other exams that have been affected by paper leaks or last-minute cancellations include the Joint CSIR-UGC-NET, which was postponed citing logistical reasons, and the NEET-PG, which was cancelled as a precautionary measure and will now be conducted on August 11. The CUET-UG exam, which was conducted in a hybrid mode for the first time, was cancelled in Delhi due to logistical reasons, but was later conducted. The results for the exam have been delayed, and a retest will be conducted from July 15 to 19 for candidates whose grievances are found genuine.

The National Common Entrance Test (NCET) for admission to the 4-Year Integrated Teacher Education Programme (ITEP) was scheduled on June 12 but was cancelled due to technical issues. The exam will now be conducted on July 10.

As the controversy surrounding the NEET-UG continues to unfold, the Supreme Court has sought information from the NTA and the CBI about the timing of the question paper leak and the duration between the leak and the actual test. The court has also observed that a re-test may be necessary if the sanctity of the NEET-UG 2024 is lost.