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Journalism of Courage
The National Testing Agency (NTA) on Monday once again denied allegations of a paper leak of National Eligibility cum Entrance Test Undergraduate (NEET UG) 2024, saying posts on social media claiming the leak are “completely baseless and without any ground”.
In its latest statement, the NTA said it wants to “set the record straight” against several social media posts “wherein, a perception is being created that the Question Paper got leaked before the commencement of examination”.
“It has been ascertained from NTA’s security protocols and Standard Operating Procedures that the Social Media Posts pointing towards any paper leak are completely baseless and without any ground. To put rumours to rest, it is also stated that every single Question Paper (QP) has been accounted for. Further, it is also to be noted that after the gates of the Examination Centres are closed, no one from outside is permitted access inside the Halls which are under CCTV surveillance,” the NTA said in the statement.
According to the NTA statement, some students forcibly took away the question papers at an exam centre in Sawai Madhopur, Rajasthan, before the conclusion of the exam. “A picture of this QP is being linked to the alleged incident of paper leak which is mischievous and preposterous… there is no way any external person/agency can access the centres, once the examination started. All other photographs of QPs circulating in Social Media have no relation to the Actual Examination Question Paper which has been administered,” it said.
However, the agency added, there have been cases of malpractice or impersonation where strict action has been taken against impersonators or candidates. “In addition to the above, NTA also conducts post-exam data analysis, to detect cases of Unfair Means(UFM). Action on UFM cases is taken as per extant rules, which includes cancellation of candidature and debarment from future examinations.”
The NTA statement came as Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra posted on X about the alleged NEET paper leak. “Once again, there are reports of NEET paper leak. The future of 24 lakh youth of the country has been messed up again. This trend that has been going on with crores of promising youth for the last ten years is not stopping. Will the Prime Minister of the country say anything about this? To pacify the youth, a law was passed in the Parliament against paper leak. Where is that law? Why is it not implemented,” said her post loosely translated from Hindi.
Gandhi also said the Congress party will focus on putting a stop to paper leaks. “Recruitments will be done according to the calendar. Vacant posts will be filled. This tampering with the future of the youth will stop and we will show it by doing it,” she added.
The NTA said the NEET UG 2024 was successfully conducted at 4,750 centres in 571 cities, including 14 cities abroad, on May 5. This year, NEET UG 2024 saw record-high registrations, with over 24 lakh students registering, the highest ever, with over 10 lakh male students, and over 13 lakh female students. Nearly 97 per cent of students appeared for the exam, as per NTA officials.
