Executive Summary:
This document addresses concerns raised in Lok Sabha regarding irregularities in the NEET UG 2025 examination, specifically related to tampering of OMR sheets. It clarifies that the National Testing Agency (NTA) conducted the examination and implemented security measures to prevent alterations. A High Powered Steering Committee has been constituted to oversee reforms in the conduct of national-level examinations by the NTA.
Key Points / Main Content:
NEET UG 2025 Examination Details:
* The NEET UG 2025 examination was conducted by NTA on May 4, 2025, for over 2.2 million candidates in 552 cities across India and 14 cities abroad.
* NTA conducts the exam on behalf of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare for admissions to undergraduate medical education.
Security and Transparency Measures:
* NTA has a mechanism to detect and prevent alteration of OMR sheets and scorecards, including multiple inbuilt security features and QR codes.
* Scanned images of OMR sheets were made available on the NTA website for candidates to view and verify their responses.
* A provisional answer key was published, and candidates were given the opportunity to challenge answers between June 3 and June 5, 2025.
* The final answer key was determined after challenges were settled by subject experts, and results were declared on June 14, 2025.
Investigation and Findings:
* NTA has stated that there were no irregularities with respect to the NEET UG 2025 examination.
* A High Powered Steering Committee, chaired by Dr. K. Radhakrishnan, has been constituted to oversee reforms in the conduct of national-level examinations by the NTA.
Impact Analysis:
Candidates:
* Impact: Assurance of the credibility and fairness of the NEET UG 2025 examination process due to security measures and transparency.
* Action Required: No specific action required, as the matter is addressed and results declared.
National Testing Agency (NTA):
* Impact: NTA is responsible for implementing and maintaining security and transparency in the conduct of NEET UG examinations.
* Action Required: Continue to implement security measures and cooperate with the High Powered Steering Committee for reforms.
Ministry of Education:
* Impact: Overseeing the conduct of national-level examinations and ensuring transparency and fairness.
* Action Required: Support the High Powered Steering Committee in implementing reforms in the NTA.
Key Entities Referenced
UGNEET 2025: Under Graduate National Eligibility cum Entrance Test 2025, a national level examination for admission to undergraduate medical education.
Ministry of Education: The Union Government Ministry responsible for education.
Shri Babu Singh Kushwaha: Member of Parliament who raised a question in Lok Sabha regarding irregularities in UGNEET 2025.
National Testing Agency (NTA): The agency responsible for conducting the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test UG on behalf of Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare: The Union Government Ministry responsible for health and family welfare, for whom NTA conducts NEET UG.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Parliament of India, where the question regarding UGNEET 2025 irregularities was raised.
Dr. Sukanta Majumdar: Minister of State in the Ministry of Education who provided the answer to the Lok Sabha question.
Dr. K. Radhakrishnan: Former Chairman, I.S.R.O. and Chairman, B.O.G. IIT Kanpur, chairs the High Powered Steering Committee overseeing reforms in national-level examinations by the NTA.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1325
ANSWERED ON 28.07.2025
Irregularities in UG-NEET 2025
†1325. Shri Babu Singh Kushwaha:
Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government is aware regarding tampering of OMR sheets and other irregularities
in the recently held NEET 2025 examination, leading to scoring abnormally low marks;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government proposes to conduct an independent/impartial inquiry into the entire
matter, including forensic examination of the original OMR sheets of students and constitute a
Special Committee/Grievance Redressal Committee to register such complaints and ensure the
redressal;
(d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
(e) whether the Government considers that such incidents seriously impact the
transparency/fairness/credibility of a national exam like NEET and affect the mental health and
future of lakhs of students?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
(DR. SUKANTA MAJUMDAR)
(a) to (e): The National Testing Agency (NTA) has been conducting the National Eligibility cum
Entrance Test (UG) on behalf of Ministry of Health and Family Welfare for admission to
undergraduate medical education in all medical institutions since 2019. The NEET (UG) 2025
Examination was conducted by NTA for more than 22 lakh candidates at 5468 different centres
located in 552 Cities throughout the country and 14 Cities outside India on 4th May 2025.
NTA has informed that a mechanism is in place to detect and prevent any alteration in OMR sheets
and scorecards. The OMR sheets used in NEET (UG) 2025 incorporated multiple inbuilt security
features that make any form of tampering easily identifiable. The introduction of inbuilt QR codes
for authentication of scorecards ensure credibility and safeguard the interest of candidates.
Further, in order to promote transparency and as part of the standard Answer Key Challenge process,
the scanned images of the OMR answer sheets of all appeared candidates w.r.t. the NEET(UG) 2025
Examination, were made available on the official website of NTA, allowing candidates to view and
verify their recorded responses. The Provisional Answer Keys were published alongside, giving
candidates an opportunity to review them and submit challenges, if they believed any answer was
incorrect. This Answer Key Challenge Window was kept open from 3rd June 2025 to 5th June 2025.
The challenges thus received were settled by subject experts and the final answer key was arrivedat. The result prepared on the basis of the aforementioned final answer key has been successfully
declared on 14th June, 2025. There is no irregularity w.r.t. the NEET(UG) 2025 Examination.
A High Powered Steering Committee, chaired by Dr. K. Radhakrishnan, former Chairman, I.S.R.O.
and Chairman, B.O.G. IIT Kanpur, is already constituted to oversee the implementation of reforms
in the conduct of national-level examinations by the NTA.
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