In times when students should be diligently preparing for a bright future, they find themselves victimized by irregularities during exams. The distress of students and parents is beyond measure, affecting nearly 24 million aspirants, many of whom will shape the future of healthcare in the country. The implications of unqualified students becoming doctors due to NEET paper leaks and other malpractices are staggering and far-reaching. National Testing Agency (NTA) cast doubt on its own credibility when it declared 67 toppers in the NEET exam, a first for the undergraduate medical entrance exam. However, this is not an isolated incident.
In 2017, the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) announced the establishment of a unified, independent, autonomous body to conduct entrance exams for higher education. Officially established on March 1, 2018, the NTA's mission is to conduct national eligibility tests (such as NEET, JEE Main, JEE Advanced, etc.) for admission to various universities and institutions, aiming to make the examination process transparent, efficient, and fair.
NTA has successfully conducted several crucial entrance exams such as JEE Main, JEE Advanced, NEET, NET, JNUEE, CMAT, etc. The agency has initiated numerous reforms to improve the online application, conducting the examinations, and announcing the results. A team of experts with specialization in various fields has been assembled by NTA. Yet, it cannot be denied that questions have been raised repeatedly regarding irregularities in exams conducted by NTA.
Source: aajtak
In recent years, there have been several reports of irregularities and mismanagement in various exams conducted by the NTA. Here are some of the notable incidents:
JEE Mains 2019
During the JEE Main exams, many students faced difficulties due to server issues, and there were delays in the distribution of question papers and answer sheets at some centers.
Read more about the massive NEET paper leak: 'Huge sums, safe houses...' Accused spill many secrets! Here's how the nexus operates:
NEET UG 2020
The NEET UG exam was postponed several times due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Some students reported difficulties in reaching exam centers. Additionally, in 2020, an incident occurred where an aspirant from Assam allegedly sent another candidate to write his exam. The following month, the candidate who secured the highest marks in the state, as well as his father and staff of the testing facility, were arrested.
NEET 2020
In the same year, a NEET candidate in Madhya Pradesh committed suicide after scoring 6 points in the exam. Her parents later had her Optical Mark Recognition sheet examined, and upon comparison with the answer key, discovered she should have received 590 points.
Source: aajtak
NEET 2021
There were instances of students being given the wrong question paper during the JEE Mains exams. Many centers also received complaints about the use of unfair means during exams. Additionally, there was a controversy regarding a Physics question asked in NEET UG 2021, prompting representatives of the students to approach the Supreme Court. The Hindi and English translations of the question differed.
CUET 2022
The Common University Entrance Test also faced irregularities. Reports indicated that at a center in Kanpur, students were given question papers in English despite being Hindi medium candidates. A similar issue occurred at a center in Sawai Madhopur, Rajasthan. In both cases, the agency had to re-conduct exams for affected students. On July 17, 2022, during the NEET exam, some centers distributed question papers in the wrong language to students, causing significant distress.
Learn more about the burnt NEET exam papers found in Bihar, the arrested suspects, and the growing questions around NTA's role:
NEET 2024
This year, NEET candidates in certain states reported being given question papers in the incorrect language. Subsequently, the NTA randomly awarded grace marks to students as compensation for lost time, resulting in 67 students scoring a perfect 720 out of 720 for the first time in history. This incident has brought NEET's credibility under scrutiny. There are now indications of a NEET paper leak in Patna, Nalanda in Bihar, and Godhra in Gujarat.
Source: aajtak
Those accused in the paper leak cases in Bihar have confessed to the SIT that candidates paid hefty sums exceeding 30 lakhs for the NEET paper leak. On Saturday, the EOU agency issued notices to nine candidates to inquire about their association with the 'solver gang.' All candidates, hailing from various districts in Bihar, were summoned to the Patna office with supporting evidence on Monday and Tuesday. The National Testing Agency (NTA) has yet to respond to the latest developments.
NTA must take stricter measures to curb irregularities and mismanagement in its exams. It is imperative to assure students that exams are being conducted fairly and transparently.
