In a significant development amid mounting controversy, the Indian government has decided to cancel the UGC-NET (National Eligibility Test) examination.
· The decision comes in the wake of ongoing protests and allegations of irregularities surrounding the NEET, intensifying the political landscape.
· Leaders from various opposition parties have swiftly capitalized on this development to criticize the Narendra Modi-led government.
· The UGC-NET exam serves as a pivotal evaluation for candidates aspiring to become assistant professors in universities and colleges.
· Bihar police have apprehended four individuals who confessed to leaking the question paper ahead of the NEET-UG 2024 exam.
· The arrests underscore the gravity of the allegations surrounding NEET-UG 2024, further intensifying the ongoing debate over examination integrity and administrative oversight.
In a significant development amid mounting controversy, the Indian government has decided to cancel the UGC-NET (National Eligibility Test) examination, providing fresh ammunition to the Opposition ahead of the upcoming Parliament session. The decision comes in the wake of ongoing protests and allegations of irregularities surrounding the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET), intensifying the political landscape.
The UGC-NET exam serves as a pivotal evaluation for candidates aspiring to become assistant professors in universities and colleges, as well as for those seeking research fellowships. Conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA), the exam was abruptly cancelled following concerns raised about potential compromises to its integrity. This move marks a departure from the usual computer-based format, as the exam this time was administered in a traditional pen-and-paper mode, affecting over 11 lakh registered students.
Leaders from various opposition parties have swiftly capitalized on this development to criticize the Narendra Modi-led government. The Congress party, led by Mallikarjun Kharge, lambasted the government, dubbing it the “paper leak government” and accusing it of mishandling crucial examinations. Kharge directly targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi, questioning the delay in addressing issues such as the NEET controversies and demanding accountability from Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
Priyanka Gandhi, a prominent figure within the Congress party, echoed similar sentiments, condemning what she described as corruption and negligence under the current administration. Akhilesh Yadav of the Samajwadi Party echoed these sentiments, alleging the involvement of a “paper mafia” in widespread fraud across examinations conducted under the BJP’s tenure. He advocated for a court-monitored investigation to ensure stringent punishment for the culprits, emphasizing the need for accountability.
Meanwhile, leaders from other regional parties, including Priyanka Chaturvedi of Shiv Sena and Saket Gokhale of Trinamool Congress, criticized the NTA’s repeated failures in conducting fair examinations. They pointed to the systemic issues within the examination process and accused the government of neglecting the future prospects of students.
The Ministry of Education cited inputs from the National Cyber Crime Threat Analytics Unit, indicating potential compromises to the integrity of the UGC-NET examination. As a result, the ministry announced the cancellation of the exam and pledged to conduct a fresh examination with enhanced transparency measures. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has been tasked with probing the matter, underscoring the seriousness of the allegations.
As the political temperature rises, the cancellation of the UGC-NET exam serves not only as a catalyst for renewed scrutiny but also as a rallying point for opposition parties aiming to dent the government’s credibility. The coming days are poised to witness heated exchanges in Parliament as the BJP-led government navigates through heightened scrutiny and criticism from a bolstered opposition front.
In the latest development surrounding the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) for medical college admissions, Bihar police have apprehended four individuals who confessed to leaking the question paper ahead of the NEET-UG 2024 exam.
The controversy surrounding NEET-UG 2024 has sparked widespread protests among students, alleging both a question paper leak and discrepancies in the allocation of grace marks to over 1,500 candidates. Despite initially denying any paper leak, the education minister later faced mounting pressure, prompting the cancellation of grace marks and the announcement of a re-test for affected students.
Among those arrested in Bihar are Anurag Yadav, Nitish Kumar, Amit Anand, and Sikandar Yadavendu, identified as a junior engineer in the Danapur municipal council. According to police reports, the accused admitted to receiving the leaked question paper a day before the exam and memorizing its contents. Subsequently, they claimed that identical questions appeared in the official exam the following day.
Anurag Yadav, one of the arrested individuals and an exam aspirant, disclosed that Sikandar Yadavendu, his uncle, provided him and two other candidates with both the question paper and its answer sheet.
The arrests underscore the gravity of the allegations surrounding NEET-UG 2024, further intensifying the ongoing debate over examination integrity and administrative oversight. As investigations continue, the revelations are likely to fuel broader discussions on ensuring fair and transparent conduct in national-level entrance examinations.
(With inputs from agencies)
