Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan addressed the growing concerns regarding the recent cancellation of the UGC-NET exam and the ongoing NEET controversy on Thursday evening. The Ministry of Education, in response to alleged paper leaks, has taken decisive action to safeguard the integrity of these crucial national examinations.
Following the cancellation of the UGC-NET exam due to concerns over its integrity, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has registered an FIR in connection with the paper leak case. The FIR was filed under sections related to criminal conspiracy and cheating. Govind Jaiswal, Joint Secretary of the Education Ministry, explained that the decision to cancel the exam was made suo-motu, based on evidence suggesting the exam had been compromised. The exam, conducted by the NTA on June 18, had nearly 9 lakh students participating.
Investigations revealed that the leaked question paper appeared on the darknet, a hidden layer of the internet, and matched the original exam paper. This discovery prompted the immediate cancellation of the exam to prioritize the students’ interests. The dark web, characterized by its encrypted and often illegal nature, played a critical role in this breach. Unlike the familiar websites we access with regular browsers, darknet sites require specific software like the Tor browser for navigation. Tor anonymizes online activity by routing traffic through multiple servers, making it extremely difficult to trace a user’s location or identity. This anonymity attracts both legitimate users seeking privacy, such as journalists or activists in restrictive countries, and those involved in illegal activities. While the darknet provides a space for free speech and information sharing outside of censorship, it also serves as a breeding ground for criminal marketplaces selling stolen data and other illicit goods.
The Ministry of Education has committed to holding a fresh UGC-NET exam for the June session, with new dates to be announced shortly. The CBI’s investigation continues with the goal of identifying those responsible for compromising the exam’s integrity. Over 11 lakh students had registered for the UGC-NET exam, underscoring the significant impact of this decision. The cancellation has ignited a wave of political and public backlash.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi attributed the paper leaks to the influence of the BJP and RSS on educational institutions, advocating for systemic changes to prevent future incidents. This sentiment was echoed by various student unions, leading to protests and calls for the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Mallikarjun Kharge, in a Hindi post on X, questioned Narendra Modi’s focus on discussions about exams, asking, ‘When will you conduct ‘NEET pareeksha pe charcha’?’ He emphasized that the cancellation of the UGC-NET exam reflects the determination and passion of lakhs of students. It’s important to note that admit cards of UGC NET candidates were not retained by authorities as against NTA instructions.
