On Tuesday, the National Testing Agency (NTA) cancelled the NEET-UG examination, a first in the history of the exam. Its Director General, Abhishek Singh, stated that the examination process was found to have been “compromised,” and that they “cannot allow the miscreants to operate,” even if only a single case, sector, or subject is involved.
Director General Abhishek Singh told The Indian Express: “An allegation was made, and it was later found that something had actually happened that could have tainted the entire process… otherwise, why would we make such a big decision? This time, we had clearly said that a ‘zero tolerance’ policy would be adopted in the case of any malpractice. Therefore, anything that harms this process… we cannot allow such cheaters, or those who try to do such things repeatedly, to prosper at all costs.”
National Testing Agency: We have to Expose their Machinations, even if it’s a Tough call
Abhishek Singh further stated, “We have to expose their machinations, even if it’s a tough call. This isn’t easy for the NTA, the students, or the parents. But if we keep letting these troublemakers do as they please, whether in one case, one area, one subject, or any other situation, it won’t be tolerated at all. Our stance was ‘zero tolerance,’ and we fully stick to that.”
The National Testing Agency received information regarding alleged irregularities on May 7, following which the matter was brought to the attention of law enforcement agencies. The Rajasthan Special Operations Group reported that they had recovered a ‘guess paper’ containing 410 questions, 120 of which appeared in the actual examination, and that they are currently investigating the matter.
Addressing the question of at which stage the NEET examination might have been compromised, National Testing Agency Director General Abhishek Singh stated: “We are not investigators; we are the examination-conducting body. The CBI is the agency tasked with this responsibility. The mandate to investigate this case has been entrusted to them, and whoever is found to be involved will be punished.”
Also Read: 120 Out of 410 NEET-UG Questions Found in ‘Guess Paper’; Investigation started in Rajasthan
