UGC-NET Row: Education ministry notes exams might have been compromised; matter referred to CBI

Following the cancellation of the UGC-NET exam, the education ministry on Thursday noted that the entrance test might have been compromised, as per preliminary investigation and that the said matter has been referred to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

No complaints were received about UGC-NET, it was cancelled taking suo motu cognisance of available inputs, the ministry said.

"Nine lakh students had participated in the UGC-NET exam that the NTA conducted on June 18. The ministry saw that there was a chance that the examination had been compromised. The ministry has decided to cancel the examination. The next date will be declared soon. The matter has been referred to the CBI," said Ministry of Education Joint Secretary Govind Jaiswal.


Notably, the Ministry of Education on Wednesday cancelled the UGC-NET exam, which was conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA), due to concerns over its integrity.

Also Read: UGC-NET exam cancelled over integrity concerns, CBI to probe: Education Ministry

Student unions have been staging protest outside Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan in Delhi and have also been detained.


Jaiswal, while interacting with the media, also said that there are several matters as part of irregularities in NEET and they should be addressed differently.

"Grace marks issue, Bihar paper leak, and malpractices in Gujarat are three separate issues. The grace marks issue has been completely resolved," he said.

A controversy surrounding the NEET exam has gripped the education ecosystem, which saw nearly 24 lakh students appearing for the undergraduate medical courses test conducted by the NTA on May 5.

Allegations of question paper leaks and other irregularities have led to protests and legal actions, including cases filed in various courts, including the Supreme Court.