New Delhi: In a decisive move, the government has chosen not to cancel the NEET medical entrance examination amidst uproar over an alleged question paper leak. Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan defended the decision, citing that cancelling the exam would unfairly penalize lakhs of students who rightfully cleared it. The controversy erupted after 67 students achieved a perfect score of 720, prompting scrutiny into the exams integrity.What Education Minister said Addressing concerns, Pradhan assured that the matter is under the Supreme Courts purview, emphasizing that any judicial decision will be respected. The NEET-UG 2024 exam, which saw participation from nearly 24 lakh students, has been marred by accusations of localized leaks and irregularities in grace marks distribution.Institutional failure The Education Minister acknowledged the issue surrounding the UGC-NET exams leak as an institutional failure of the National Testing Agency (NTA). He announced the formation of a high-level panel to probe the agencys operations but maintained that cancelling the NEET exam was unwarranted.We are committed to rectifying any anomalies in the system and ensuring the integrity of examinations, Pradhan affirmed during a press conference in New Delhi. He urged against politicizing the matter and promised strict action against those responsible, including senior officials of the NTA.NEET paper leak investigation Meanwhile, arrests have been made in Bihar related to the NEET paper leak investigation, underscoring ongoing efforts to address the issue comprehensively. The Ministry of Education reiterated its commitment to transparency and accountability, assuring that all concerns regarding grace marks have been appropriately addressed.The governments steadfast stance aims to uphold the integrity of one of Indias most critical examinations amidst challenges of malpractice and administrative lapses.
