An important medical exam in India has caused uproar, protests, and accusations of cheating after numerous candidates received unusually high scores in this year’s test.
The National Eligibility Cum Entrance Test (Undergraduate), or NEET-UG, is conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) and is crucial for admission to medical colleges in India. This year, there has been controversy surrounding the exam due to the unexpectedly high number of candidates achieving top marks, leading to challenges in the admission process.
Following the declaration of results on 4 June, concerns have been raised about errors in the question paper, incorrect awarding of grace marks, allegations of paper leaks, and fraud. Calls for a re-test have been made by students and parents, with numerous petitions filed in court.
While NTA officials have denied allegations of paper leaks, Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan acknowledged “irregularities” at some exam centers. The top court in India has issued a notice to NTA, emphasizing the need for thorough investigation into any negligence.
The highly competitive nature of the exam adds to the pressure faced by millions of students aspiring to secure a spot in medical colleges. This year, 2.4 million students competed for a limited number of seats, further intensifying the competition.
The controversy arose when an unprecedented number of students achieved perfect scores, prompting suspicions of irregularities in the exam’s conduct and grading. The Supreme Court canceled compensatory marks and ordered a re-test for affected students, while protesters continue to demand action against systemic issues such as paper leaks and cheating.
Allegations of paper leaks have been supported by evidence of arrests made in connection with a leaked question paper in Patna. Additional arrests have been made for impersonation in the exam, adding to the concerns of fraud and corruption.
En el estado de Gujarat, la policía arrestó a cinco personas por su presunta participación en un plan de engaño en un centro de exámenes en Godhra.
Contienda política
La controversia ha recibido críticas de líderes de la oposición que han acusado al gobierno de coalición liderado por el Partido Bharatiya Janata (BJP) de “traicionar los sueños” de millones de estudiantes.
El líder del Congreso, Mallikarjun Kharge, cuestionó el silencio del Primer Ministro Narendra Modi sobre el tema y acusó a su gobierno de “encubrir la estafa del NEET”. El partido también ha exigido una investigación liderada por la Corte Suprema sobre las presuntas irregularidades.
Mientras tanto, la Corte Suprema está programada para escuchar un grupo de peticiones relacionadas con los resultados del examen NEET, incluidas aquellas que piden que se anule la prueba, el 8 de julio.