Two viral videos regarding the National Testing Agency (NTA) website have been debunked as fake by the Press Information Bureau (PIB) and clarified by the NTA. One video falsely claimed that the NTA’s website had been hacked until June 18, with its data sold on the Dark Web. The other alleged that Common University Entrance Test (CUET) boxes were stored in the open with their seals broken.
These are empty boxes kept outside the hall at NTA and do not have any sensitive material inside them. Never did we keep these boxes in open, as being reported by the media. Also, we have sufficient number of security personnel deployed at the place where boxes are kept. pic.twitter.com/QBFukSEHG3
— National Testing Agency (@NTA_Exams) June 27, 2024
The PIB’s fact-check confirmed that both videos were fake. The NTA clarified on social media that the CUET boxes shown in the video were empty and did not contain any sensitive material, and were never left unguarded. The NTA also reassured the public that its website and online portals are fully secure, dismissing claims of data compromise as baseless.
एक वीडियो में दावा किया जा रहा है कि NTA परिसर में खुले आसमान के नीचे CUET परीक्षा के बक्से रखे हुए हैं। बक्सों के सील टूटे हुए हैं। #PIBFactCheck
✅ यह दावा पूर्णतः फर्जी है
✅ NTA परिसर में हॉल के बाहर रखे गए बक्से खाली है एवं इनमें परीक्षा संबंधी सामग्री नहीं है pic.twitter.com/HVK6mGT0AM
— PIB Fact Check (@PIBFactCheck) June 27, 2024
Amid these allegations, student groups under ‘India against NTA’ continued their protest at Jantar Mantar for the second day, demanding justice for NEET applicants and calling for the dissolution of the NTA. The protests, which included participation from several newly elected MPs, were organized by Left-backed student groups like the All India Students Association (AISA) and the Krantikari Yuva Sangathan (KYS).
It’s being claimed in a video that @NTA_Exams‘s website was hacked until June 18 & its data was sold on dark web#PIBFactCheck
✔️The claim is #Fake
✔️Any info regarding website being compromised & hacked is false & baseless
✔️NTA website & all its web portals are fully secure pic.twitter.com/wg7ThX7Da3
— PIB Fact Check (@PIBFactCheck) June 27, 2024
The protests were sparked by allegations of paper leaks in exams such as NEET-UG, PG, and UGC-NET, which were amplified after NEET-UG results were announced on June 4. Demonstrators are demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and the scrapping of the NTA, citing ongoing issues with examination integrity.
