Executive Summary:
This document is the Indian Ministry of Education's response to questions regarding delays and irregularities in the NEET and UGC-NET examinations. It addresses the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on exam schedules and reports of irregularities in the NEET-UG 2024 examination. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) was tasked to investigate alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG 2024 Examination, and the Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024 came into force on June 21, 2024.
Key Points / Main Content:
* **Examination Administration:**
* The National Testing Agency (NTA) conducts the NEET-UG examination (since 2019) and UGC-NET examination (since 2018).
* Prior to NTA, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) conducted these exams.
* **Examination Delays:**
* NEET-UG 2020 and 2021, and UGC-NET December 2020 and May 2021 cycles were postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
* UGC-NET June 2024 examination was held between August 21, 2024, and September 4, 2024, and results were declared on October 17, 2024.
* **Investigation into NEET-UG 2024:**
* Following reports of irregularities in the NEET-UG 2024 examination, the Ministry of Education requested the CBI to conduct a comprehensive investigation.
* The Supreme Court observed that current material does not indicate a systemic leak or widespread malpractice compromising the exam's integrity.
* Revised NEET-UG 2024 results were declared on July 26, 2024, in compliance with a Supreme Court order.
* **Preventative Measures:**
* The NTA has begun declaring examination calendars well in advance.
* The Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024 came into force on June 21, 2024, to deter unfair practices.
* Rules under the Act were notified on June 23, 2024.
* A high-powered steering committee, chaired by Dr. K. Radhakrishnan, has been formed to oversee reforms in national-level examinations conducted by the NTA.
* **Data Maintenance:**
* The Ministry does not centrally maintain data regarding examination-specific incidents.
Impact Analysis:
* **Aspirants/Candidates:**
* Impact: Affected by exam delays, cancellations, and reported irregularities. Advance exam calendars aim to facilitate planning.
* Action Required: Stay informed about exam schedules and any changes announced by the NTA.
* **National Testing Agency (NTA):**
* Impact: Responsible for conducting examinations and implementing reforms to prevent unfair means.
* Action Required: Implement the Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, and work with the high-powered steering committee to improve examination processes.
* **Ministry of Education:**
* Impact: Oversees the NTA and is responsible for addressing concerns related to examination integrity.
* Action Required: Monitor the implementation of reforms and the investigation into alleged irregularities.
* **Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI):**
* Impact: Tasked with investigating alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG 2024 examination.
* Action Required: Conduct a thorough investigation into the alleged irregularities.
Key Entities Referenced
National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET-UG): A national-level entrance examination in India for admission to undergraduate medical courses.
UGC-NET: University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test, an examination to determine the eligibility of candidates for Assistant Professor and/or Junior Research Fellowship in Indian universities and colleges.
Ministry of Education: The Indian government ministry responsible for education.
National Testing Agency (NTA): A specialized body established by the Ministry of Education to conduct examinations for admission/fellowships in Higher Education Institutions in India.
Central Bureau of Investigation: The premier investigating police agency in India.
Supreme Court: The highest judicial court and final court of appeal under the Constitution of India.
Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024: A central government act to deter unfair means in public examinations.
Dr. K. Radhakrishnan: Former Chairman, Indian Space Research Organisation (I.S.R.O.), chairing a High-Powered Steering Committee to oversee reforms in national-level examinations conducted by the NTA.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-3678
ANSWERED ON- 11/08/2025
Delay in Conducting NEET and UGC NET
3678. Shri Benny Behanan:
Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:
(a) the total number of aspirants affected due to paper leaks and delay in holding NEET and
UGC-NET entrance examinations during the last ten years, State-wise;
(b) the total number of paper-leaks incidents leading to cancellation or rescheduling of
national-level entrance examinations during the last ten years, examination-wise, year-wise and
State-wise;
(c) the total number of individuals and groups identified and arrested in such irregularities
during the above period, State-wise and year-wise; and
(d) whether the Government has taken any step to curb the incidences of cheating and paper
leaks in such competitive examinations?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
(DR. SUKANTA MAJUMDAR)
(a) The National Testing Agency (NTA) was established by the Ministry of Education as
a specialized body to conduct examinations for admission/fellowships in Higher Education
Institutions. Since 2019, NTA has been conducting the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test
(NEET-UG) Examination for admission to undergraduate medical education in all medical
institutions across the country. Prior to 2019, the NEET(UG) Examination was conducted by
the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE).
Similarly, NTA has been conducting the UGC-NET Examination to determine the eligibility
of candidates for Assistant Professor and/or Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) in universities
and colleges since 2018. Before this, the UGC-NET Examination was conducted by CBSE.
The examination timelines have been mostly followed to ensure smooth admission processes.
However, the NEET(UG) 2020 and 2021 exams, as well as the UGC-NET December 2020 and
May 2021 cycle, were postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and related logistical
challenges. This was due to an unprecedented situation caused by COVID-19 which had
affected academic schedules as a whole.As regards the UGC-NET June 2024 Examination, held on 18.6.24 and later cancelled, the
examination was conducted between 21st August, 2024 and 4th September, 2024 in Computer
Based Test (C.B.T.) mode and result was declared on 17.10.2024.
After the conduct of NEET(UG) 2024 Examination in May, 2024, certain cases of alleged
irregularities/cheating/malpractices were reported. The Ministry of Education asked the
Central Bureau of Investigation to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the entire gamut
of alleged irregularities w.r.t. the NEET(UG) 2024 Examination. The Hon’ble Supreme Court
in WP(Civil) 335/2024 and connected matters vide judgement dated 2nd August, 2024 has
observed in para 84 that “Hence, sufficient material is not on record at present which indicates
a systemic leak or systemic malpractice of other forms. The material on record does not, at
present, substantiate the allegation that there has been a widespread malpractice which
compromised the integrity of the exam.” In compliance of the earlier order of the Supreme
Court dated 23rd July, 2024 in the same case, the revised result of NEET(UG) 2024
Examination had been declared on 26th July, 2024.
NTA has started declaration of Examination Calendar of major examinations, much in advance
for the facilitation of candidates. The Examination calendar is planned taking into
consideration, buffer days to accommodate for reschedules/postponements for reasons beyond
the control of NTA.
(b) and (c) Competitive Examinations are conducted by different bodies at National & State
Level for recruitment as well as for admission in Educational Institutions. Data Regarding
Examination specific incidents is not maintained centrally in the Ministry.
(d) As deterrence to unfair means in public examinations, the Central Government has
enacted the Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024. The Act has come
into force w.e.f. 21st June, 2024 and Rules thereunder have been notified on 23rd June, 2024.
A High-Powered Steering Committee, chaired by Dr. K. Radhakrishnan, former Chairman,
I.S.R.O. is already constituted to oversee the implementation of reforms in the conduct of
national-level examinations by the NTA.
****