Parliament Question: Irregularities in national-level entrance examinations (NEET, CUET, UGC-NET)

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION RAJYA SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 125 ANSWERED ON 11.02.2026 Irregularities in national-level entrance examinations (NEET, CUET, UGC-NET) 125 # Dr. Sandeep Kumar Pathak: Will the Minister of Education be pleased to state: (a) the number of cases of paper leak registered across various States during the last three years in national-level entrance examinations, including NEET (UG), NEET (PG), CUET and UGC-NET; (b) the number of registered cases where investigations are ongoing and where investigation have been completed; (c) out of total cases, the cases in which chargesheet has been filed, number of persons arrested, number of persons convicted along with maximum and minimum punishment awarded, the year-wise, case-wise, State-wise and investigating agency-wise details thereof; and (d) the steps taken to prevent recurrence of paper leaks? ANSWER MINISTER OF EDUCATION (SHRI DHARMENDRA PRADHAN) (a) to (d) : A statement is laid on the table of the House. *****STATEMENT REFFERED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) to (d) IN RESPECT OF RAJYA SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 125 FOR REPLY ON 11.02.2026 REGARDING “IRREGULARITIES IN NATIONAL-LEVEL ENTRANCE EXAMINATIONS (NEET, CUET, UGC-NET)” ASKED BY HON’BLE MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT DR. SANDEEP KUMAR PATHAK. (a) to (d): Competitive Examinations are conducted by different Bodies at National and State Level for admission in Educational Institutions as well as for recruitment. Cases relating to various examinations are registered by the concerned State Police Forces and Central Agencies (wherever undertaken), and appropriate legal actions are initiated in accordance with the provisions of The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, Prevention of Corruption Act, relevant State Acts, etc. as applicable. The NEET(UG), CUET and UGC-NET Examinations are conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA), a specialised body set up by the Ministry of Education to conduct entrance examinations for admission in Higher Education Institutions. The NEET (PG) examination is conducted by the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. The NEET(UG) 2024 Examination was conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) on 5th May 2024. After the conduct of NEET(UG) 2024 Examination, certain cases of alleged irregularities/cheating/malpractices were reported. The Ministry of Education asked the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the entire gamut of alleged irregularities including conspiracy, cheating, breach of trust etc. with respect to the NEET(UG) 2024 Examination. The Hon’ble Supreme Court in WP(Civil) 335/2024 and connected matters vide judgement dated 2nd August, 2024 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 was declared on 26th July, 2024. The UGC-NET June 2024 Examination conducted by NTA on 18.6.24 was cancelled after receipt of certain inputs alleging that integrity of the examination may have been compromised. The matter was entrusted to CBI and the examination was conducted afresh between 21st August and 5th September, 2024. The Result of the examination was also declared on 17th October 2024. In order to suggest effective measures for transparent, smooth and fair conduct of examinations by NTA, the Ministry of Education constituted a High-Level Committee of Experts (HLCE) on 22.06.2024. The Committee submitted its report titled ‘Reformation of National Common Entrance Testing’ on 21.10.2024 and have recommended strengthening of NTA, institutional linkage with States, involvement of Test Indenting Agencies as Knowledge and Examinations partner etc. 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.Further, as a deterrence to unfair means and in order to bring greater transparency, fairness and credibility in public examinations, the Central Government has notified The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act and Rules, 2024. The Act contains stringent provisions to deal with unfair means used or offences committed by persons / organized groups/ other organizations that adversely impacts public examinations conducted by Central Government and its agencies. ****