NEET Scam: CBI Registers FIR Over Irregularities in Medical Entrance Exam Amid Nationwide Outrage

New Delhi: A day after taking charge, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Sunday registered a First Information Report (FIR) in connection with the NEET-UG exam paper leak case.  

The probe agency registered a case under appropriate sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) including 420 (offence of cheating) and 120B (Offence of partnering in a criminal conspiracy).  

The central government on Saturday ordered a CBI probe into the allegations of irregularities and paper leaks in the conduct of the NEET examination for admission to undergraduate medical courses.

Issuing a notification, the Ministry of Education said, "Certain cases of alleged irregularities/cheating/impersonation/malpractices have been reported concerning the NEET examination and that for transparency in the conduct of the examination process, the Ministry of Education, after a review, has decided to entrust the matter to the CBI for a comprehensive investigation".

"The government is committed to ensuring the sanctity of examinations and protect the interest of students. It is reiterated that any individual/ organization found to be involved will face strictest action," it added.

NTA Chief Sacked 

In the midst of a nationwide row over alleged irregularities in entrance exams like NEET-UG 2024 and UGC-NET, the Central government on Saturday replaced its current Director General Subodh Singh with senior bureaucrat Pradeep Singh Kharola as the new head of the National Testing Agency (NTA). 

Kharola, who serves as the Managing Director and Chairman of the India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO), has been given the extra responsibility to head the testing agency until the appointment of a new Director, said officials. 

NTA, which conducted the NEET-UG exams, is facing nationwide outrage over alleged irregularities in the exams. Several students hit the streets to stage protests across the country, with demand to disband the NTA.

Surprisingly, as many as 67 candidates achieved a perfect score of 720 marks out of 720, which added to the suspicion of irregularities in the entrance exam.