NEET, UGC-NET paper leaks institutional failure of NTA, setting up high-level panel, says Pradhan

“The government is going to form a high-level committee. Recommendations will be expected from that high-level committee to further improve NTA, its structure, functioning, examination process, transparency and data security protocol…,” Pradhan said Thursday at a press conference in New Delhi.

Pradhan also said that the central government will set up a high-level committee to look into the issue of paper leaks and also the functioning of the NTA — which conducts the NEET, UGC-NET , CUET and JEE (Main).

New Delhi: A day after the National Testing Agency (NTA) cancelled the UGC-NET exam citing its ‘compromised integrity’, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has said that leaks of question papers amount to “institutional failure” on the part of the NTA.

The high-level committee will comprise academicians, experts, technocrats, scientists, psychologists and education administrators who will make recommendations based on which reforms will be implemented in the NTA. “The composition of the committee and its mandate will be made public soon,” Pradhan added.

In response to a query about how the Opposition is holding the government responsible for the paper leaks that have jeopardised the lives of lakhs of students, Pradhan appealed to his political contemporaries to not politicise the NEET issue.

The Opposition, he said, should have faith in the system.

“…Our government is 100 percent committed to transparency, to the betterment of the future of our students. And I assure you again, no malpractice, no irregularity will be tolerated by our government,” he said.

The Union minister, however, maintained that these are isolated incidents and should not affect the lakhs of students who diligently appeared for and cleared these examinations.

Also Read: In eye of NEET storm, a look at origins of India’s testing agency NTA & past controversies

‘Questions leaked on dark net’

During the press conference, Pradhan also said that it was an impromptu decision to cancel the UGC-NET exam and it was taken on the basis of credible information received from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). “The MHA had flagged that a particular set of questions had been leaked on the dark net,” he told reporters.

Pradhan said that around 3 pm on 19 June, the University Grants Commission (UGC) received information from National Cybercrime Threat Analytics Unit of Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C) alleging a potential ‘compromise’ in the examination process.

He added that the leaked questions were shared on Telegram. When authorities tallied those questions with the original set, they found matches and decided to call off the exam to restore integrity and transparency.

He also said that the government takes ethical responsibility for the pain caused to students.

“…But it was important to maintain quality and transparency,” he said, adding that the UGC-NET will be conducted again soon and students will be notified about the same in a timely manner.

Dismissing claims that the cancellation was due to change in the mode of the exam, Pradhan clarified that both Computer Based Test (CBT) and Optical Mark recognition (OMR) are established modes for NTA and 80 lakh students from across the country have appeared for exams conducted in these modes just this year.

Addressing criticism over inflation in ranks, he said that the questions were set keeping in mind students from rural areas and state boards and concerns over difficulty level leading to a rise in suicides.

“The question level was of 12th standard so that there was ease of access; 655 new centres were made operational which also led to a shift in ranks,” he explained.

NTA conducted UGC-NET June 2024 Examination in OMR (pen and paper) mode across 1,205 exam centres in 317 cities nationwide, on 18 June. More than 9 lakh candidates appeared for this crucial exam, which serves as a gateway for Assistant Professor positions in universities and colleges, as well as eligibility for junior research fellowships.

The seriousness of the allegations levelled against the NTA over its handling of the exam prompted the Ministry of Education to seek a comprehensive investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

NEET issues ‘limited to specific region’

On incidents related to errors in the NEET exam, Pradhan said it was limited to a specific region and should not affect lakhs of students who appeared for the exams “sincerely”.

“…We are in touch with the Bihar government. We are receiving some information from Patna. Police are investigating and a detailed report will be submitted by them. Following credible information, strict action will be taken against the guilty,” he said.

Acknowledging isolated irregularities, Pradhan urged students not to be swayed by rumours, stressing that the government remains dedicated to safeguarding their rights. He commended the efforts of Patna Police in swiftly addressing specific issues, while taking note of ongoing dialogue between Centre and state to ensure comprehensive resolution.

“By taking responsibility, we have to rectify the system. We are committed to conducting exams with zero errors. Our government brought the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act in 2024 for the first time. I request everyone to not spread rumours on this issue and not see it in a political light. I assure that we will not leave any of the people responsible and I hope for your cooperation,” he added.

(Edited by Amrtansh Arora)

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