No Paper Missing, No Broken Locks: Exam Body’s Reply In NEET-UG Leak Case

The National Testing Agency (NTA) has issued a strong denial of any paper leak in the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) exam, despite allegations of irregularities in the exam. The agency has filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court, stating that no question paper was found missing and no locks were broken at the exam centers in Patna, where the alleged leak first emerged.

According to the NTA, reports from the City coordinator, Centre Superintendent, and observers were examined, and no adverse incidents or signs of paper leakage were observed. The agency also claimed that the CCTV coverage in the Command Centre was constantly monitored, and no untoward incidents were reported.

The NTA’s response comes after the Supreme Court expressed its concerns about the alleged leak, with the bench stating that it is clear that a leak has taken place. The court has said that the extent of the leak and the beneficiaries need to be identified before a re-test can be ordered, which could potentially affect lakhs of students.

The testing agency has also addressed the alleged paper leak in Rajasthan’s Sawai Madhopur, where a wrong medium of question paper was distributed at one exam center, leading to protests and candidates leaving the center without taking the exam. The NTA clarified that this incident was not a paper leak, as the access to the centers was regulated, and no internet or mobile connectivity was possible during the exam due to the installation of jammers.

The agency also pointed out that the re-test at the center was conducted smoothly the same day. The NTA’s emphasis on no paper leak comes after the Centre told the Supreme Court that there was no indication of “mass malpractice” or localized benefits to any candidates.

The data analytics of the NEET-UG 2024 results, conducted by IIT Madras, showed that the marks distribution follows the bell-shaped curve, indicating no abnormality. The NTA’s denial of any paper leak has sparked controversy, with many questioning the agency’s claims. The case is ongoing, and the Supreme Court is expected to take further action in the coming days.