UGC NET 2024 scam: Question paper may have leaked on darknet, CBI probe underway

NEW DELHI: Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Thursday evening addressed growing concerns over the recent cancellation of the UGC-NET exam and the ongoing NEET controversy. In light of alleged paper leaks, the Ministry of Education has taken significant steps to ensure the integrity of these national exams.

In a recent development regarding the cancellation of the UGC-NET exam, amid concerns from the Center over its integrity, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has filed an FIR in connection with the matter leaking UGC-NET exam papers under criminal conspiracy and cheating sections.

Education Ministry Joint Secretary Govind Jaiswal said the decision to cancel the exam was taken suo-motu based on information that the exam had been compromised. The exam, conducted by the NTA on June 18, saw the participation of around 9 lakh students.

Proof of compromise
Investigations revealed that the leaked questionnaire appeared on the darknet and matched the original document. This discovery led to the immediate cancellation of the exam to protect the interests of the students. The dark web, an encrypted and often illegal part of the Internet, played a crucial role in this breach.

What is the darknet, how to access it?

The darknet, a hidden layer of the Internet, exists beneath the surface of the Web that we access with traditional browsers. Unlike familiar websites, these Darknet sites require specific software like Tor Browser to navigate. Tor anonymizes your online activity by routing traffic through a series of servers, making it nearly impossible to track your location or identity.

This anonymity attracts both legitimate users seeking privacy, such as journalists or activists in restricted countries, and those engaged in illegal activities. While the darknet provides space for free speech and information sharing outside of censorship, it also provides fertile ground for criminal markets selling stolen data, among other types of contraband.

Future actions and investigations
The Ministry of Education has committed to re-conduct the June session UGC-NET exam, with new dates to be announced soon. The CBI is continuing its investigation to identify those responsible for compromising the integrity of the exam. More than 11 lakh students had registered for the UGC-NET exam, highlighting the significant impact of the decision.

Political reactions and protests
The cancellation sparked significant political and public backlash. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi attributed the leaked documents to the influence of the BJP and the RSS over educational institutions, calling for systemic changes to prevent such events from happening again. This sentiment was echoed by various student unions, leading to protests and calls for the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

Mallikarjun Kharge, in a Hindi article on He pointed out that the cancellation of the UGC-NET exam reflects the determination and passion of thousands of students.



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