NEET-UG row : 'Strict action against guilty,' says Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan assured the public of a thorough investigation into potential irregularities in the NEET exam in Bihar stating the government's commitment to transparency and student interests.

"We are in touch with the Bihar government regarding the NEET exam," Pradhan stated in a press conference. "We are receiving some information from Patna. The police are investigating, and a detailed report will be submitted by them. Following credible information, strict action will be taken against the guilty."

Pradhan's remarks come in response to reports of potential misconduct during the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET), a crucial examination for medical aspirants across India. 

"I want to assure everyone that the government is committed to protecting the interests of students. We will not compromise on transparency," Pradhan said.

Earlier in the day, The Ministry of Education announced the cancellation of the University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test (UGC-NET) 2024, citing potential compromises in the examination's integrity. The decision, affecting over 9 lakh candidates who participated in the exam conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) on June 18, comes amidst growing concerns over the security and fairness of competitive exams.

Govind Jaiswal, Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Education, confirmed the cancellation during a briefing on Thursday, stating, "The Ministry has observed significant indications of a possible compromise in the UGC-NET examination. Therefore, as a precautionary measure, we have decided to cancel the exam." He further added that the matter has been referred to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for a thorough investigation.

Earlier intelligence inputs from the National Cyber Crime Threat Analytics Unit raised red flags regarding the exam's integrity shortly after its conclusion. These concerns prompted the Ministry to prioritize transparency and uphold the sanctity of the examination process by opting for cancellation and scheduling a fresh examination at a later date.