New Delhi:

Amid a row over the NEET exam, another medical exam is being held under close watch of the security and home ministry officials. The health ministry in a statement said that the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE) 2024 has begun smoothly across the nation and no untoward incident has been reported yet.

A command centre to monitor the exam has been set up at the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) headquarters in Delhi.

“The content was successfully downloaded at all test centres. The examination started at all examination centres smoothly. A team of officers from MHA has visited NBEMS HQ. No untoward incident has been reported,” an official said.

The FMGE is a screening test for medical graduates to become eligible to practice medicine in the country. It is being held at 71 centres in 50 cities across 21 states. The exam will be held on two shifts — 9 am to 11.30 am and 2 pm to 4.30 pm.

A controversy erupted after 67 students achieved a perfect score of 720 in the NEET-UG exam. The National Testing Agency (NTA) attributed this to the awarding of grace marks due to a faulty question and logistical delays in paper distribution at some centres. However, a probe by Bihar police revealed that the exam paper had been leaked to a select few candidates.

The NEET-UG examination, taken by nearly 24 lakh aspiring medical students, was held on May 5, and results were expedited for early release on June 4. Despite the NTA’s attempts to manage the fallout, accusations of a widespread leak persisted, prompting protests and legal actions nationwide. The Supreme Court also intervened, chastising the NTA for its handling of the matter.

As a countermeasure, the FMGE examination is being held under tight security and is being closely monitored by the Centre.

Officials have appointed 255 appraisers across 71 centres, with 53 faculty members serving as a flying squad. The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) has designated 71 members to visit exam centres. Additionally, 42 NBEMS staff are stationed at the centres, where 35,819 candidates are scheduled to take exams on Saturday.

A command centre has been established at NBEMS headquarters in Dwarka. It is overseeing the examination’s progress with members of the governing body, NBEMS officials, a technical team of 20 TCS officials, and senior police officers.

Live CCTV feeds are monitoring each test centre, while TCS ground teams are resolving operational and logistical issues onsite.

Members of the Indian Youth Congress during their protest at Jantar Mantar over the alleged rigging of the NEET-UG exam, in New Delhi on June 27.
| Photo Credit: SHASHI SHEKHAR KASHYAP

The story so far: The NEET-UG exam has been embroiled in controversies over the award of grace marks, allegation of paper leaks and other irregularities. The government also cancelled the UGC-NET exam after it was held, while the CSIR-NET and NEET-PG exams have been postponed.

Also Read: The NEET sheeters

What is the historical background?

The Government of India Act, 1935 during the British rule created a federal structure for the first time in our polity. The legislative subjects were distributed between the federal legislature (present day Union) and provinces (present day States). Education which is an important public good was kept under the provincial list. After independence, this continued and education was part of the ‘State list’ under the distribution of powers.

However, during the Emergency, the Congress party constituted the Swaran Singh Committee to provide recommendations for amendments to the Constitution. One of the recommendations of this committee was to place ‘education’ in the concurrent list in order to evolve all-India policies on the subject. This was implemented through the 42nd constitutional amendment (1976) by shifting ‘education’ from the State list to the concurrent list. There was no detailed rationale that was provided for this switch and the amendment was ratified by various States without adequate debate.

The Janata Party government led by Morarji Desai that came to power after Emergency passed the 44th constitutional amendment (1978) to reverse many of the controversial changes made through the 42nd amendment. One of these amendments that was passed in the Lok Sabha but not in the Rajya Sabha was to bring back ‘education’ to the State list.

What are international practices?

In the U.S., State and local governments set the overall educational standards, mandate standardised tests and supervise colleges and universities. The federal education department’s functions primarily include policies for financial aid, focussing on key educational issues and ensuring equal access. In Canada, education is completely managed by the provinces. In Germany, the constitution vests legislative powers for education with landers (equivalent of States). In South Africa, on the other hand, education is governed by two national departments for school and higher education. The provinces of the country have their own education departments for implementing policies of the national departments and dealing with local issues.

What can be the way forward?

The arguments in favour of ‘education’ in the concurrent list include a uniform education policy, improvement in standards and synergy between Centre and States. However, considering the vast diversity of the country, a ‘one size fits all’ approach is neither feasible nor desirable. Further, as per the report on ‘Analysis of Budgeted expenditure on Education’ prepared by the Ministry of Education in 2022, out of the total revenue expenditure by education departments in our country estimated at ₹6.25 lakh crore (2020-21), 15% is spent by the Centre while 85% is spent by the States. Even if expenditure by all other departments on education and training are considered, the share works out to 24% and 76% respectively.

The arguments against restoring ‘education’ to State list include corruption coupled with lack of professionalism. The recent issues surrounding the NEET and NTA have however displayed that centralisation does not necessarily mean that these issues would vanish.

Also Read: Why has the NTA failed to deliver? | Explained

Considering the need for autonomy in view of the lion’s share of the expenditure being borne by the States, there needs to be a productive discussion towards moving ‘education’ back to the State list. This would enable them to frame tailor-made policies for syllabus, testing and admissions for higher education including professional courses like medicine and engineering. Regulatory mechanisms for higher education can continue to be governed by central institutions like the National Medical Commission, University Grants Commission and All India Council for Technical Education.

Rangarajan. R is a former IAS officer and author of ‘Polity Simplified’. Views expressed are personal.

New Delhi:

A 100-strong mob of workers from the NSUI, or National Students Union of India – the Congress’ student wing – barged into and briefly took over the Delhi office of the National Testing Agency, the central body under scrutiny over question paper leaks and other irregularities in this year’s NEET-UG exams.

There is now a heavy police presence at the NTA office in Delhi’s Okhla area.

Early visuals showed a crowd marching down a tree-lined avenue and into the NTA building, shouting and screaming as they charge inside. One video shows a metal padlock on a door – presumably the front door – with a poster declaring “no more corrupt NTA” attached. Photographs from inside the building show protesters gathering at a courtyard with more posters denouncing the NTA.

Meanwhile, in other videos protesters are shouting “NTA bandh karo, bandh karo“.

संसद से महज़ चंद कदमों के फासले पर, पेपर लीक वाली लीकेज सरकार के विरुद्ध पूरे जोश के साथ गरज रहे हैं IYC के साथी! #IYCSansadGheraopic.twitter.com/lCLAv6BC77

— Indian Youth Congress (@IYC) June 27, 2024

Shortly after storming the building the protesters left.

The student wing’s protest came hours after the Congress’ youth wing, the Indian Youth Congress, protested near Parliament as President Droupadi Murmu addressed a joint session. On the NEET exam row, she said the government is “committed to a fair investigation” of the entire issue.

READ | Youth Congress Workers Detained Near Parliament Amid NEET Protest

NEET Exam Row

Controversy over the NEET exam – nearly 24 lakh students took the May 5 qualifying exam for entrance to medical courses – broke this month after results were declared.

The first red flags were the unusually high number of perfect scores; a record 67 students, including six from one coaching centre, scored a maximum 720 in the uber-competitive exam. Questions were also asked over the award of ‘grace marks’ – not exam protocol, the NTA said – to 1, 563 students.

After a flurry of arrests by police forces – from Bihar, Maharashtra, and Delhi – the CBI has taken over the investigation. Agency sources told NDTV a nationwide corruption racket may be involved. Today the agency made its first arrests.

READ | CBI Makes First Arrests In Bihar In NEET-UG Paper Leak Case

CBI sources said one accused – Manish Kumar – facilitated the transport of students to an empty school where they were given the leaked question paper to commit to memory, while the other – Ashutosh – provided lodging.

Supreme Court Notice To NTA

The Supreme Court this afternoon issued a notice to the exam body after a petition claimed the May NEET-UG exam had been rigged. The court directed the NTA to respond by July 8.

READ | Supreme Court Notice To Exam Body Over NEET-UG Row

The petitioners, represented by a coaching centre and other students, argued for students’ right to access their Optical Mark Recognition (OMR) sheets.

The two-judge bench – Justice Manoj Mishra and Justice SVN Bhatti – presiding over the case, questioned the fundamental rights allegedly violated by the NTA’s actions. 

Political War Over Exam Row

The NEET (and UGC-NET) exam row has meant the ruling BJP and the Congress-led opposition have gone head-to-head in the early days of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s third term – over allegations of leaked question papers, preferential marking, and criminals running ‘solver gangs’.

READ | “NEET” Chants In Parliament As Education Minister Takes Oath

On Monday opposition benches heckled Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan – shouting “NEET” and “shame” – as he took his MP’s oath. Mr Pradhan has said the government is taking the issue of leaked question papers seriously and has formed a high-level investigative committee.

Political Blame Game

The sordid scenario took a predictable political twist too, with members of the opposition – particularly the Congress-led INDIA bloc – targeting the ruling BJP. The government hit back by claiming connections between ex-Bihar Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav, whose RJD is part of the INDIA group, and Yadavendu. The RJD denied the claim and accused the BJP of trying to shift focus.

READ | In NEET Row, BJP, RJD Trade Claims Of ‘Link’ To Key Accused

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi called BJP-ruled states the “epicentre of paper leak”; the reference was to cops busting a massive paper leak racket for the Uttar Pradesh Police Constable exam.

The government has, meanwhile, operationalised a stringent law that aims to curb malpractices and irregularities in competitive examinations. A maximum jail term of 10 years and a fine of up to Rs 1 crore for offenders are some of the tough measures under the law.

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Patna:

The Bihar government will hand over the investigation of alleged irregularities in the 2024 NEET-UG exam to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for a thorough probe. The Economic Offences Unit shall hand over all the updated case records to the central agency, said an official on Sunday.

“Bihar government is to hand over the case related to the irregularities in the NEET UG examination held on May 5 to the CBI. The CBI team is expected soon in Patna to take over the investigation of the case. Economic Offences Unit shall hand over all the updated case records to CBI,” according to Economic Offences Unit (EOU) DIG, Nayyar Hasnain Khan.

The EOU official informed about the same and said, “The state government issued a notification on Sunday to accord its consent to the CBI in order to investigate the FIR no. 5117081240358 dated May 5, 2024, registered at Shastrinagar PS Patna case under sections 407, 408, 409, and 120B IPC,, which relates to irregularities in the NEET UG 2024 examination held on May 5, 2024.”

“The CBI team is expected soon in Patna to take over the investigation of the said case. EOU shall hand over all the updated case records to CBI,” he said.

After taking over the probe into the alleged irregularities in the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET)-UG exams in 2024, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has formed special teams to investigate the case, the central agency said in a statement on Sunday.

According to the CBI, special teams are being rushed to Patna in Bihar and Godhra in Gujarat, where local police cases have been registered.

This comes after the central government entrusted the CBI with the matter of alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG exam in 2024 for a comprehensive investigation.

“National Testing Agency (NTA) conducted the NEET (UG) Examination on May 5, 2024, in OMR (pen and paper) mode. Certain cases of alleged irregularities, cheating, impersonation, and malpractices have been reported. For transparency on the conduct of the examination process, the Ministry of Education, Government of India, after a review, has decided to entrust the matter to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for a comprehensive investigation,” the government said

The Central Government has also enacted the Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, to prevent unfair means in public examinations and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto,” it said.

“The government is committed to ensuring the sanctity of examinations and protecting the interests of students. It is reiterated that any individual or organisation found to be involved will face strictest action,” it added.

The National Testing Agency (NTA), which conducted the NEET-UG exams, is facing criticism over alleged irregularities in the exams.

This resulted in several protests across the country, with protestors and political parties demanding to disband the NTA.

An unprecedented 67 candidates achieved a perfect score of 720 out of 720, which added to the concerns.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

New Delhi:

A ‘solver gang’ that leaks exam papers and also provides proxy candidates who would sit for an exam has come into the limelight amid a row over the medical entrance test NEET. The NEET-UG exam, held in May, had to be cancelled after an investigation revealed that the paper had been leaked in Bihar. Police believe that Ravi Atri, the head of a nationwide ‘solver gang’, is the alleged mastermind behind the leak that has cast a shadow over India’s prestigious medical entrance examination.

The controversy erupted after an unusually high number of students scored a perfect 720 in the NEET-UG exam. Initially attributed to grace marks due to a faulty question and logistical issues, subsequent investigations by Bihar Police uncovered a different aspect: the exam paper had been leaked to select candidates a day before the exam.

Despite the NTA’s attempts to manage the fallout, accusations of a widespread leak persisted, prompting protests and legal cases nationwide. The Supreme Court also intervened, chastising the NTA for handling the matter.

The Solver Gang And Its Network

Central to the paper leak is Atri’s alleged involvement in a syndicate known as the ‘solver gang’. This network specialized in obtaining and distributing solved question papers via social media platforms, catering to aspirants willing to pay a hefty price for guaranteed success. Atri, already infamous for his involvement in previous exam paper leaks, operated with impunity across various states, leveraging his connections within the ‘exam mafia’.

Atri’s modus operandi involved obtaining the exam papers well in advance, typically a day before the examination, and swiftly disseminating them to paying clients through social media.

The gang also offered students the option of paying more and getting a ‘Munna Bhai’, a proxy who would give the exam in their place. The candidates were assured that the ‘Munna Bhai’ would score high.

Ravi Atri: Medical Aspirant To Exam Mafia

In 2007, Ravi Atri’s parents sent him to Rajasthan’s Kota to prepare for the medical entrance exam. After years of preparation, he cleared the exam in 2012 and was admitted to PGI Rohtak.

But he dropped out in the fourth year, and authorities say that by then he had come in contact with the ‘exam mafia’ and was sitting as a proxy for other candidates. He also started playing a key role in circulating the leaked papers among students.

Sanjeev Mukhiya, Another Key Figure

Sanjeev Mukhiya, who is a member of the ‘solver gang’, has been identified by police as a central figure in the NEET paper leak. Police are conducting raids at possible locations linked to him.

Mukhiya does not stand alone in his family’s criminal background. Sources reveal his son’s arrest in connection with the leaked question papers for the third phase of teacher recruitment exams conducted by BPSC.

The investigation has revealed a network extending from constable recruitment exams to teacher recruitment exams across multiple states, illustrating the scale and reach of the operation.

Sources say that Mukhiya may have fled to Nepal after the controversy snowballed, complicating extradition procedures due to the bilateral agreements between India and Nepal.

Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan ruled out cancellation of NEET, saying he cannot jeopardise careers of lakhs of students who cleared the exam rightfully because of “isolated incidents of malpractices”.
The government has also initiated a CBI probe into the case, and operationalised a stringent law that aims to curb malpractices and irregularities in competitive examinations. A maximum jail term of 10 years and a fine of up to Rs 1 crore for offenders are some of the tough measures under the law.

New Delhi:

Ravi Atri, the alleged mastermind behind the NEET-UG 2024 exam paper leak, has been arrested by the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) amid nationwide protests by students seeking a probe into the exam. Atri, from Neemka village in Greater Noida, was implicated in a scheme that has raised questions on the integrity of one of India’s most competitive exams for medical education.

The controversy erupted after 67 students achieved a perfect score of 720 in the NEET-UG exam. The National Testing Agency (NTA) attributed this to the awarding of grace marks due to a faulty question and logistical delays in paper distribution at some centres. However, a probe by Bihar police revealed that the exam paper had been leaked to a select few candidates.

The NEET-UG examination, taken by nearly 24 lakh aspiring medical students, was held on May 5, and results were expedited for early release on June 4. Despite the NTA’s attempts to manage the fallout, accusations of a widespread leak persisted, prompting protests and legal actions across the country. The Supreme Court also intervened, chastising the NTA for its handling of the matter.

Central to the unfolding scandal is Ravi Atri, known for his alleged involvement in previous exam paper leaks across various states. His modus operandi allegedly involved uploading solved question papers on social media platforms through a network known as the ‘solver gang’. Atri’s notoriety stretches back to his arrest in 2012 by the Delhi Police Crime Branch for his alleged role in leaking medical entrance exam papers.

The Bihar Police, which initially arrested several individuals connected to the leak, including a student and accomplices, expanded its investigation beyond state borders. Connections to Atri surfaced during interrogations, leading to his eventual capture by the UP STF.

In 2007, Atri’s family sent him to Kota to prepare for his medical entrance exam. He cleared the exam in 2012 and got admission in PGI Rohtak, but did not appear for the exam in the fourth year. Authorities said that by then he had come in contact with the ‘exam mafia’ and was sitting as a proxy for other candidates. He also started playing a key role in circulating the leaked papers among students. 

New Delhi:

The high-level committee announced by Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Thursday to look into ways to improve the functioning of the National Testing Agency has now been constituted, and consists of some well-known academicians and technocrats.

The agency and the government have been under fire over the alleged irregularities in the NEET exam and the cancellation of the UGC-NET test. Over 30 lakh students appeared for the two important exams. 

Dr K Radhakrishnan, a former ISRO chief and the current chairperson of the board of governors of IIT Kanpur will head the seven-member committee. Some of the others on the panel are Dr Randeep Guleria, the former director of AIIMS in Delhi, BJ Rao, the vice-chancellor of the Central University of Hyderabad, Aditya Mittal, the dean of student affairs at IIT Delhi and Ramamurthy K, a former professor in the civil engineering department of IIT Madras.

Govind Jaiswal, joint secretary of the Ministry of Education, and Pankaj Bansal, co-founder of People Strong and board member of Karmayogi Bharat, make up the remaining two members, the Union government said on Saturday. 

On Thursday, Mr Pradhan had said, “The government is also setting up a high-level committee. It will give recommendations on improving NTA’s structure, its functioning, examination process, transparency and data, and security protocol. We are committed to zero-error exams.” 

When he was asked about the composition of the panel, he had said it would have technocrats, scientists, education administrators and academicians.

The Exam Mess

Nearly 24 lakh students had appeared for the NEET-UG 2024 for undergraduate medical courses, which is conducted by the National Testing Agency, on May 5. The results were announced on June 4, 10 days before schedule, but allegations of question paper leaks and grace marks to over 1,500 students triggered protests. Cases were also filed in courts, including the Supreme Court, which has rapped the NTA. 

On Wednesday, the Education Ministry had cancelled the UGC-NET exam, also conducted by the NTA, just a day after it was held. Over 9 lakh candidates had appeared for the exam, which is held for Assistant Professor posts in universities and colleges and to determine eligibility for junior research fellowships. Mr Pradhan had said the UGC chairman had received information from the cyber crime team in the Home Ministry about questions being on the darknet.

The opposition, strengthened after its much-improved showing in the Lok Sabha polls, has attacked the government. The Congress has held nationwide protests and the INDIA alliance is likely to look to corner the government on the issue when the Parliament session begins on Monday. 

New Delhi:

The government has opted to not cancel the medical entrance examination NEET, despite a raging controversy and an ongoing investigation of the paper being leaked a day before the exam. Explaining their stand, Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said that the leak affected only a limited number of students, contrasting sharply with previous incidents in 2004 and 2015 where broader leaks led to exam cancellations. He said that cancelling the exam would affect lakhs of students who cleared the examination rightfully.

He also said that the case is being heard by the Supreme Court, and any decision taken by the court will be the final one.

A row erupted after 67 students scored a perfect 720 in the NEET-UG exam, and the National Testing Agency clarified that they had given grace marks to some students due to a wrong question and delay in candidates getting the question paper late.

Nearly 24 lakh students participated in the NEET-UG 2024 examination for undergraduate medical programs, administered by the NTA, held on May 5. The results were released ahead of schedule on June 4. However, controversy arose with claims of a question paper leak and the awarding of grace marks to more than 1,500 students, leading to widespread protests and legal actions, including cases filed in various courts, notably the Supreme Court, which has strongly criticised the NTA’s handling of the matter.

The Centre has refused to cancel the exam as the leak is believed to be localised and only a couple of students from Bihar were the beneficiaries. A student and three other accused have been arrested and are being questioned in Bihar.

Terming the leak of the UGC-NET exam’s question paper an “institutional failure” of the National Testing Agency (NTA), Mr Pradhan said the government will constitute a high-level panel to look into the functioning of the agency, but said that there was no need to cancel the exam.

“It is unfair to hold hostage the career of those candidates who have rightfully cleared the exam because of some isolated incidents of malpractice,” Mr Pradhan said at a press conference in New Delhi.

“We are in constant touch with the Bihar Police. We have sought a report from them. Once we have it, we will decide the future course of action. I take full responsibility and anomalies in the system will be rectified. Let us have faith in our systems and no irregularities or malpractices will be tolerated by the government,” the minister said.

He also appealed to the opposition parties not to politicise the issue and said strict action would be taken against those found guilty, including “top” officials of the NTA.

The Ministry of Education has expedited its response to the issue, acknowledging concerns over grace marks and affirming that these have already been appropriately addressed.

New Delhi:
The National Testing Agency (NTA) is in the news after the UGC-NET was cancelled over alleged irregularities, and the NEET ran into controversy. The UGC-NET is for those looking to teach in higher education, while NEET is for medical aspirants.

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