How a 2015 paper leak led to the cancellation of the medical entrance exam

Delhi:

At a press conference held on Thursday, Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan assured that the interests of students affected by the leaked documents would not be compromised and that none of the culprits involved in the exam fiasco would would be spared. A high-level committee is being set up to probe the issue of paper leakage in the NEET-UG and UGC-NET exams, both conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA). More than 30 lakh candidates appeared for the two exams.

Responding to a question whether NEET-UG would be cancelled, Mr. Pradhan added that the government must also safeguard the interests of meritorious students. “As far as NEET exams are concerned, we are in constant touch with the Bihar government and the Patna police will send us a detailed report soon. As per preliminary information, the errors are limited to certain areas. The government must safeguard the interests We are also thinking of deserving students,” he said.

Over the years, the various entrance exams held in the country have been marred by controversies of cheating and irregularities. This year, the UGC-NET exam conducted by the NTA was canceled based on feedback from the Federal Cybercrime Unit run by the Ministry of Interior. Investigations are meanwhile underway to trace the paper leak during the NEET UG 2024 medical entrance exam.

Medical entrance exam canceled in 2015
A similar exam failure took place in 2015 when the undergraduate medical entrance exam, previously called the All India Pre-Medical Test (AIPMT), was scrapped in 2015 following reports of paper leaks. The AIPMT was then run by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE).

The AIPMT was struck down after the intervention of the Supreme Court. The exam was held on May 3 at 1,050 centers and was canceled by the court in its June 15 verdict. The court had given the CBSE four weeks to conduct the exam again and declare the result. He announced the judgment, emphasizing that the entire conduct of the AIPMT had become useless because of a handful of elements who sought to reap undue financial gains.

The medical entrance exam was canceled after investigations suggested questions and answer keys were being circulated via electronic devices in 10 states. The exam was conducted in 1,065 centers across 50 cities across the country and abroad. A total of 6,32,625 candidates had registered for AIPMT in 2015. Out of them, around 4,22,859 candidates downloaded the admit card.

According to a Hindustan Times report, nearly 90 answer keys were leaked electronically to candidates in exchange for Rs 15-20 lakh. Rohtak police arrested seven people including two doctors and an MBBS student.

The exam body, CBSE, had then opposed the re-examination, saying 6.3 lakh students could not be made to retake the exam when only 44 students had been involved in performances by unjust means.

The top court had responded by saying that even a single entry through “illegal” means would “vitiate” the “sanctity” of the test.

The exam was then successfully conducted by CBSE.