NEET-UG: CBI files FIR over alleged irregularities; survey teams to visit Bihar, Guj | Latest news India

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Sunday filed its first information report (FIR) regarding irregularities in the National Eligibility Test (undergraduate) or NEET-UG exam, following a complaint of the Ministry of Education. It is taking steps to take over investigations/FIRs from other states in the matter.

The CBI teams will visit Bihar and Gujarat to investigate a “larger conspiracy” surrounding the NEET-UG 2024 exam, as previously reported by HT.

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The National Testing Agency (NTA) conducted the NEET(UG) exam on May 5, in OMR (pen and paper) mode. Reports of alleged irregularities, including cheating, identity theft and other misconduct, have surfaced. Opposition parties and student groups have demanded a new test.

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On Saturday, the Center decided to hand over the investigation to the CBI. “For reasons of transparency in the review process, the Ministry of Education, after due consideration, has decided to hand over the matter to the CBI for further investigation,” it said in a statement.

Apart from NEET-UG, three other exams (UGC NET, CSIR-UGC NET and NEET-PG) have also faced controversies. The UGC NET was canceled by the Center a day after the exam, while the CSIR-UGC NET and NEET-PG exams were postponed.

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To combat malpractices in examinations, the central government has notified the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024. This law aims to prevent unfair practices in public examinations and resolve related problems.

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Further, the Ministry of Education has constituted a high-level expert committee headed by K Radhakrishnan, former chairman of ISRO, to ensure transparent, smooth and fair conduct of the examinations. The committee will recommend reforms to the review process, improvements to data security protocols, and the structure and operation of the NTA. The commission is expected to submit its report within two months.