The National Testing Agency (NTA) is an independent organization created by the Government of India to administer admission and eligibility examinations for higher education institutions. The main goal is to provide equitable, transparent, and uniform testing procedures nationwide. Since its establishment, the NTA has been tasked with overseeing a range of important examinations, such as the NET and NEET (UG), CUET, GPAT, CMAT that have significant impacts on academic and professional sphere in India.
Establishment of this agency was aimed to ensure the integrity and dependability of these tests by establishing strong security measures, employing cutting-edge technology, and adhering to stringent standards. Nevertheless, recent disputes, such as the purported leakage of the NEET paper and the abrupt termination of the NET exam, have prompted doubts regarding its effectiveness and highlighted the necessity for ongoing enhancements and increased responsibility to fulfil the expectations of candidates and stakeholders.
The National Eligibility Test (NET) in India is a vital test for those seeking to pursue careers in academia and research. It is administered by the National Testing Agency (NTA). The NET test acts as a means for applicants to qualify for the position of Assistant Professor and get Junior Research Fellowships (JRF) at Indian institutions and colleges. The exam is conducted biannually and evaluates applicants’ expertise in many fields and their ability to do research.
The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET)- UG is the primary entrance test for candidates who wish to enter undergraduate medical and dentistry degrees (MBBS/BDS) in India. Administered on a yearly basis by the NTA, NEET guarantees a standardized and competence-driven procedure for accepting students into medical institutions throughout the nation.
The National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (Undergraduate) or NEET-UG (medical entrance examination) was administered by the NTA on May 5 and the results were announced on June 4. The exam, which is currently making headlines due to allegations of question paper leakage and irregularities, attracted approximately 24 lakh students. Unprecedented in the history of NTA, a total of 67 candidates achieved All-India Rank 1. Reports of paper breaches and the distribution of grace marks have raised concerns about the integrity of the exam since that time.
The NTA also conducted University Grants Commission-National Eligibility Test (UGC-NET) exam on June 18 but it was cancelled by the Ministry of Education, Government of India, on June 19, one day after it was administered, in order to guarantee the utmost transparency and integrity of the examination process. The report which came the very next day from a preliminary investigation said that the question paper was leaked 48 hours prior to the exam. The paper was sold for Rs 6 lakh on the dark web and encrypted social media platforms, according to the report.
The National Cyber Crime Threat Analytics Unit of the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre under the Ministry of Home Affairs provided the University Grants Commission (UGC) with specific inputs regarding the examination on June 19, 2024. Prima facie, these inputs suggest that the integrity of the aforementioned examination may have been compromised. The protest that happened after the notice by NTA to cancel the exam was out, was attended by a significant number of students, including members of political organizations such as the Students’ Federation of India (SFI), All India Students Association (AISA), Democratic Students’ Front (DSF), Krantikari Yuva Sangathan (KYS), and Congress-affiliated NSUI. The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), which is affiliated with the RSS, also organized protests on the north campus of Delhi University and the Jawaharlal Nehru University.
VOICES OF DISTRESS
Thousands of applicants are in shock at the unexpected cancellation of the NET test, which has left candidates who spent months, preparing rigorously feeling severely emotionally and psychologically damaged. The sudden cancelation of the exam, together with the build-up to it, have left me feeling quite frustrated and let down. Furthermore, a large number of applicants had to bear a heavy financial load by paying for lodging, transportation, and other associated fees just to have their efforts in vain. Outside of the financial ramifications, the time and energy spent getting ready for the test are priceless. Many times, juggling other obligations, candidates carefully plan only to have their dreams dashed. The widespread anguish highlights how deeply these administrative mistakes affect the lives of conscientious professionals and students. Students now expect a similar response for the NEET test due to the precedent the cancellation of the NET exam has set. Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan accepted full responsibility for it. He also announced the creation of a high-level committee to improve the National Testing Agency’s (NTA) operations, examination procedures, transparency, and data security measures.
The law
In February, President Droupadi Murmu signed the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Bill into law. The bill was adopted by the Centre with the goal of preventing leaks, malpractices, and organized cheating in recruitment exams such as UPSC and SSC, as well as admission tests such as NEET, JEE, CUET, and NET.
PUNISHMENTS UNDER THE LAW
The Punishments under Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024 proposes that unfair means be punishable by imprisonment for three to five years with a fine of up to Rs 10 lakh.
In case a person, group or persons commits an organised crime of this nature which includes the examination authority, service providers or any other institutions, they will be punished with imprisonment of five to 10 years with a minimum fine of Rs 1 crore.
The law empowers agencies to attach and forfeit the properties of institutions involved in committing organised crime for the proportionate recovery of the cost of examination.
The law also states that an officer of the rank of deputy superintendent of police or assistant commissioner of police will be responsible for investigating any complaints under the Act.
Despite the fact that the recently enforced Act cannot be applied retrospectively to the accused of NET & NEET-UG paper leak, this law is a hope to establish a more effective approach to address similar instances in future. It emphasizes how important it is to preserve test fairness and integrity. It is crucial to provide top priority to secure and transparent testing procedures in order to guarantee an impartial evaluation process for every applicant.