New Delhi, June 23, 2024 — In a significant development, the Ministry of Education has announced the transfer of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test for Undergraduate (NEET UG) 2024 examination inquiry to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). This decision comes in the wake of numerous allegations of irregularities, including cheating, impersonation, and other malpractices.
The announcement was made by Seep Pahuja, a prominent biology educator on Unacademy, in a detailed update to her followers. She highlighted the swift actions taken by the Ministry of Education, led by Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, who has been proactive in addressing these concerns. On the previous day, the Minister announced the formation of a high-power committee comprising distinguished academicians, IITians, doctors from AIIMS, and officials from ISRO.
In a parallel move, the Ministry also saw the passing of a stringent anti-paper leak bill, which imposes penalties of up to 1 crore rupees and imprisonment for up to ten years for those involved in paper leaks. This legislative action underscores the government's commitment to maintaining the integrity of public examinations.
In response to the allegations surrounding the NEET UG 2024 examination, the former NTA chief was replaced by Pradeep, a retired IAS officer, in an effort to restore confidence in the administration of the examination. The Ministry's late-night announcement via Twitter confirmed that the NEET inquiry has been officially handed over to the CBI, a move anticipated by many stakeholders.
"The government’s decision to involve the CBI ensures a thorough and transparent investigation," Pahuja stated. "This action is crucial to safeguard the interests of deserving students and uphold the sanctity of the examination process."
The NEET UG 2024 examination, conducted on May 5th, had faced multiple allegations of malpractices, prompting an urgent review by the Ministry of Education and the Government of India. The Supreme Court’s judgment on the matter, initially expected by July 8th, was preempted by the transfer to the CBI due to the pressing timeline for counseling and the commencement of the upcoming MBBS session.
Additionally, the Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act has been enacted to prevent unfair practices in all public examinations, further demonstrating the government’s dedication to ensuring a fair examination environment.
The Ministry's decisive actions have been well-received by educators, institutions, and social media influencers, who have been vocal about the need for fairness in the NEET examination. The government’s commitment to transparency and integrity aims to ensure that only deserving candidates progress, thereby maintaining the quality and trust in the medical education system.
As the CBI takes over the investigation, the education community and the nation await further developments, hopeful that these measures will lead to a just resolution and reinforce the credibility of the NEET examination process.
