NEET effect? Centre cancels UGC-NET day after exam saying 'integrity' compromised

The UGC-NET June 2024 has been cancelled on reports that the exam may have been “compromised”, the Ministry of Education informed on Wednesday.

The Education Ministry informed that the matter is being handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for thorough investigation and further said that a fresh UGC-NET examination will be conducted and the information of the same will be shared separately.

Why UGC-NET June 2024 has been cancelled?

On June 18, the National Testing Agency (NTA) conducted the UGC-NET June 2024 in two shifts across different cities of the country.

The next day, on June 19, the University Grants Commission (UGC) received certain inputs from National Cyber Crime Threat Analytics Unit of Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) under the Ministry of Home Affairs on the Examination.

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These inputs prima-facie indicated that the integrity of the UGC-NET June 2024 may have been compromised.

The Education Minister in a post on X said, “The Government is committed to ensure the sanctity of examinations and protect the interest of students.”

Government is committed to ensure the sanctity of examinations and protect the interest of students.

Ministry of Education has decided that the UGC-NET June 2024 Examination be cancelled on the basis of inputs from Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) under the Ministry…

— Ministry of Education (@EduMinOfIndia) June 19, 2024

UGC-NET June 2024

The NTA conducted the UGC-NET June 2024 on Tuesday, June 18, in 83 subjects in OMR (pen and paper) mode in two different shifts — 9:30 am to 12:30 pm and 3 to 6 pm.

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A total of 11,21,225 candidates had registered for UGC-NET June 2024. This included 6,35,587 female students, 4,85,579 male and 59 third gender candidates.

A total of 9,08,580 candidates (81 per cent) appeared for the exam.

NEET-UG 2024

The Ministry of Education further said that in the matter pertaining to the NEET(UG) 2024, the issue related to grace marks has already been fully addressed.

As regards certain irregularities alleged in the conduct of the examination in Patna, a detailed report has been sought from the Economic Offences Unit, Bihar Police.

“Government will take further action, on receipt of this report,” the ministry said.

Last week, the Supreme Court ordered re-test of 1,563 candidates who were given grace marks in the undergraduate medical entrance examination – NEET-UG 2024.

These candidates will have to re-appear for the test on June 23 and the result will be declared on June 30.

The allegations such as question paper leak and the grant of grace marks to over 1,500 medical aspirants have led to protests and filing of cases in seven high courts as also the Supreme Court.

As many as 67 students scored a perfect 720, unprecedented in NTA’s history, with six from a centre in Haryana’s Faridabad figuring in the list, raising suspicions about irregularities.

The NEET-UG examination is conducted by NTA for admissions to MBBS, BDS, AYUSH and other related courses in government and private institutions across the country.

The Education Ministry further, on Wednesday, also said that the government is “committed to ensure the sanctity of examinations and protect the interest of students. It is reiterated that any individual/organisation found to be involved in this matter will face strictest action.”