No issues in debating NEET, but under tradition: Union edu minister

New Delhi: On the NEET 2024 exam paper leak and the controversy surrounding it, a discussion needs to happen, but only within tradition and decorum, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said on Friday, reports Asian News International (ANI) reports.

The minister claimed that the government intends to face the issue of NEET, citing that the president spoke about the issue in her address on Thursday. He claimed that the government’s responsibility is towards the youth and students of the country and, therefore, there is no need for confusion.

He promised that his government is going to take strict action against anyone involved. He added that a credible high-level committee has been formed for reformations, and the revised date of all the cancelled exams will be released soon. He asked the opposition “to come out of politics and join the discussion,” ANI quoted the minister.

The education minister further said that the administration removed those who were in charge of the National Testing Agency (NTA), which conducted the country's major competitive exams. The minister said that the responsibilities have been transferred to senior officials, claiming that these moves prove the government’s commitment to the people. The minister said that he wanted the opposition not to confuse students.

However, the opposition remained adamant about the irregularities in the NEET exam. Congress president and Rajya Sabha Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge demanded a special discussion on the issue in the House under Rule 267.

On June 23, the CBI registered a criminal case over alleged irregularities in the conduct of NEET-UG and UGC-NET exams by the NTA. The central agency also formed special teams to probe the matter. However, the agency’s FIR states that there were certain “isolated incidents” of irregularities in a few states during the NEET(UG) 2024, which was conducted on May 5, 2024. There were 4,750 centres in 571 cities, including 14 overseas cities, where NTA conducted the exam. More than 23 lakh candidates attended. However, in an unprecedented result, 67 candidates scored 720 marks out of 720, leading to widespread uproar across the country.