NEET UG 2024 Row: Probe into ‘alleged irregularities’ handed over to CBI, says Education Ministry
For transparency on the conduct of the examination process, the Ministry of Education, after a review has decided to entrust the matter to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for comprehensive investigation.
The officials informed the news agency that the ministry had to give in to demands of students protesting in several cities for an investigation into alleged malpractices. (Representative photo)
The Ministry of Education handed over the matter of alleged irregularities in the NEET (UG) examination 2024 to CBI for “a comprehensive investigation” on June 22 late night. In a statement, the ministry said that “for transparency on the conduct of the examination process, the Ministry of Education, after a review has decided to entrust the matter to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for comprehensive investigation.”
National Testing Agency (NTA) conducted the NEET(UG) May 5, 2024, in pen and paper mode and the result was declared on June 4.
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“Certain cases of alleged irregularities, cheating, impersonation and malpractices have been reported in NEET-UG which was conducted on May 5. For transparency on the conduct of the examination process, it was decided after a review that the matter be handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for comprehensive investigation,” as per a statement by the Education Ministry.
The development came amid a flurry of decisions over the alleged irregularities in competitive exams, including the removal of National Testing Agency (NTA) Director General Subodh Singh and setting-up of a seven-member panel headed by former ISRO chief K Radhakrishnan for exam reforms.
The NEET issue has led to nationwide protests. The Centre has also enacted the Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, to prevent unfair means in the public examinations and to provide for matter connected therewith or incidental thereto.
Meanwhile, the government has also postponed the NEET PG exam scheduled to be held on June 23.
