Following the controversy surrounding the leak of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) for medical undergraduates and the cancellation of UGC-NET due to integrity issues, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan emphasized the need for discussions to be conducted with tradition and decorum.
“The government is prepared for all discussions, but they must occur within the established norms and decorum. The President’s mention of the exam in her recent speech reflects our readiness to address any issues… Our responsibility is towards the youth and students of the nation… The government is prepared to present its stance, so where is the confusion? … We will take stringent action, and the CBI will hold everyone accountable. A credible high-level committee has been set up for reform, and the dates for all these exams will soon be announced. I urge the opposition to prioritize discussion over politics,” Dharmendra Pradhan stated.
“We will not spare anyone. Those responsible at NTA have been replaced by senior officials. This demonstrates the government’s commitment… I appeal to the opposition not to mislead the students,” he added.
However, the opposition remains firm in their demand for a discussion on the alleged irregularities in the NEET exam. Rajya Sabha LoP and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge remarked, “Under Rule 267, we are insisting on a special discussion on this matter in the House, after which we will state our demands.”
Congress MP Deepender Singh Hooda expressed concern, stating, “The future of our youth has been jeopardized due to continuous paper leaks across the country, particularly in Haryana. NEET exam papers were leaked, and Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan is evading responsibility. When we raised this issue in the House, the microphone was turned off. Such actions create anger among opposition MPs, and that’s exactly what happened. We demand a thorough discussion on this issue.”
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) registered a criminal case on June 23 regarding alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG and UGC-NET exams. The agency’s FIR highlighted “isolated incidents” during the NEET (UG) 2024 exam held on May 5, 2024. Conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA), this exam saw participation from over 23 lakh candidates across 4,750 centers in 571 cities, including 14 cities abroad. The Ministry of Education has formed a high-level committee to propose reforms in exam processes, enhance data security, and improve NTA operations.