Guwahati, June 23, 2024 – NEET-NET Irregularities
The All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) has vehemently criticized the central government for its handling of the recent controversies surrounding the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) and the National Eligibility Test (NET). AASU chief advisor Dr. Samujjal Bhattacharjya has accused the Centre of corruption and negligence in conducting these crucial examinations.
Dr. Bhattacharjya’s comments come in the wake of significant allegations of irregularities and malpractices in both NEET and NET. “The corruption involved in conducting NEET and NET is unacceptable,” he asserted. “Those found guilty should face the toughest punitive measures,” he added, questioning the Centre’s silence on the issue and warning both state and central governments to take immediate corrective action.
The controversies have sparked widespread outrage and led to demands for accountability and transparency in the examination process. Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan recently announced the formation of a high-level committee to investigate the National Testing Agency (NTA), responsible for conducting these exams.
The NEET controversy intensified following the arrest of four individuals who confessed that the question paper for the medical entrance exam had been leaked a day before the exam. This revelation has caused widespread concern among students and parents, who fear the integrity of the examination process has been compromised.
Adding to the turmoil, the NTA annulled the UGC-NET June 2024 Examination on Wednesday due to potential security breaches, just a day after the exams were conducted nationwide. This decision has further fueled the debate over the NTA’s capability to ensure a fair and secure examination process.
Amid these allegations and public outcry, the Centre has enacted a stringent law aimed at combating malpractices in competitive examinations. The newly operationalized Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, carries severe penalties for offenders, including up to 10 years in jail and fines up to Rs 1 crore. This legislation is intended to deter future malpractices and restore confidence in the examination system.
Dr. Bhattacharjya emphasized the need for stringent measures and transparency to restore faith in these critical examinations. “We will never accept this,” he reiterated, urging the government to act decisively and ensure that such incidents do not recur.
The formation of the high-level committee, led by former ISRO chief K. Radhakrishnan, is the first step in a series of measures to address these issues. The committee, which includes experts such as Dr. Randeep Guleria, former Director of AIIMS Delhi, and other prominent academicians, will review the examination process, data security protocols, and the overall functioning of the NTA. The committee is expected to submit its report within two months, outlining recommendations for reform.
The NTA, established to conduct fair and transparent examinations, is now under intense scrutiny. The allegations of paper leaks and security breaches have not only damaged its reputation but also shaken the trust of millions of students who rely on these exams for their academic and professional futures.
As the government and the newly formed committee work towards addressing these challenges, the focus remains on ensuring that future examinations are conducted with the highest standards of integrity and security. The outcomes of the committee’s recommendations and the implementation of the new law will be closely watched by all stakeholders.
The NEET-NET controversy underscores the critical need for robust systems and vigilant oversight in the administration of national examinations. As the education sector grapples with these challenges, the priority must be to safeguard the interests of students and uphold the credibility of the examination process.
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