63 cases of use of unfair means, but no paper leaks; Sanctity of NEET-UG not compromised: NTA officials

“A committee has been constituted, comprising three eminent experts in the field of examinations and academicians, to present different types of reported cases, such as impersonation, cheating and forgery of OMR sheet,” NTA Director General Subodh Kumar Singh told PTI.

“On the recommendations of the board, 12 candidates were debarred from the examination for three years, nine candidates debarred for two years and two candidates for one year each. The result of the remaining candidates was retained. The panel had given recommendations for each case,” Singh added.

The total number of cases of use of unfair means stands at 63, he said.

The agency is facing criticism over allegations of irregularities and grade inflation in the crucial medical entrance exam.

The matter also reached the top court which on Tuesday said the sanctity of National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test-Undergraduate (NEET-UG) 2024 has been affected and sought answers from the Center and the National Agency of Test (NTA) on another plea seeking to hold the exam again due to alleged question paper leaks and other malpractices.

Amid protests from students and opposition parties, the Education Ministry last week set up a four-member committee to review the grace marks given to 1,563 students to compensate them for the loss of time due to delays in the start of examinations in certain centers.

“The panel has not yet submitted its report. Depending on the panel’s recommendations, either a retest will be conducted for nearly 1,600 students or an alternative mechanism may be designed to ensure that no candidate is disadvantaged,” he said.

Asked about allegations of mark inflation due to which 67 candidates bagged first rank, Singh said out of 67 candidates who secured 720 out of 720 marks, 44 candidates received marks due to revision of physics answer key and 6 due to loss. of time.

“Only two candidates who obtained grace marks received 718 and 719 marks,” he said. PTI GJS TIR TIR

This report is automatically generated from PTI news service. ThePrint assumes no responsibility for its content.