NEET row: CBI registers FIR in paper leak case, NTA chief replaced; Understand the entire case timeline here

NEET UG: The NEET UG controversy continues to take new turns. People across the country are closely watching the developments related to NEET UG. The latest news is that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has registered an FIR concerning irregularities in NEET UG. 

 

The CBI has filed a case against unknown individuals based on a complaint from the Ministry of Education. Notably, the case has been handed over to the CBI to ensure transparency in the examination process.

 

Opposition parties and social organizations, along with groups of candidates, had demanded a high-level investigation into the matter. In response, the central government handed over the investigation of the NEET paper leak case to the CBI. 

 

Following complaints of irregularities, the central government also replaced the head of the National Testing Agency (NTA), which conducts several important exams including NEET and UGC NET. 

 

NEET UG 2024 Controversy: Timeline of key events 

• May 5: The NEET UG exam, the country's largest entrance test, was held with around 24 lakh students participating.
• May 6: Allegations of a paper leak surfaced immediately after the exam. Patna police registered an FIR regarding the suspected leak. Based on information from central agencies, Patna police filed a report at Shastri Nagar police station.
• May 10: The case was handed over to the Economic Offences Unit (EOU) of Bihar police for investigation.
• May 11: The EOU arrested 13 people, including four examinees and their family members.
• Petition Filed: A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was filed in the Patna High Court, seeking the cancellation of the exam and a CBI investigation.
• Supreme Court Petition: A group of candidates filed a petition in the Supreme Court, demanding a retake of the NEET UG 2024 exam.
• June 4: The final answer key for NEET UG was released, followed by the surprising announcement of the results on the same day. The results were scheduled to be released on June 14, but were declared 10 days early.
• Record Results: A record 67 candidates achieved Rank 1, which was unprecedented in NEET history. Some candidates received grace marks under the "Loss of Time" criterion.
• Post-Result: Allegations of score irregularities arose from medical aspirants nationwide. The NTA denied any irregularities in the results.
• Political Escalation: The controversy grew, becoming a political issue with increasing demands for a high-level investigation and a re-examination.
• June 8: The NTA held a press conference to address all questions and allegations, but the controversy did not subside, leading to escalating protests.
• June 11: The Supreme Court heard a petition to cancel and re-conduct NEET UG. The court acknowledged the impact on the exam's integrity, issued a notice to the NTA, but refused to halt the counseling process for the passed candidates or cancel the exam.
• June 13: The Supreme Court was informed that the NTA decided to revoke grace marks given to 1,563 candidates and offer them a retake on June 23, with results to be announced on June 30. The court reiterated it would not stop NEET UG 2024 counseling.
• June 18: The UGC NET exam, conducted by the NTA, was canceled a day after being held.
• Further Postponements: The CSIR exam by NTA and NEET PG exam by NBEMS were also postponed.
• Leadership Change: NTA Director General Subodh Kumar Singh was removed.
• CBI Investigation: The case was handed over to the CBI, which registered its first FIR on June 23.