Centre Takes Action Amid Exam Irregularities Scandal: NTA Director Shunted.

Facing criticism over alleged irregularities in competitive exams, the Centre has removed National Testing Agency (NTA) Director General Subodh Singh and established a seven-member panel led by former ISRO chief K Radhakrishnan to review the agency’s operations and suggest exam reforms.

In a significant move, the Union Health Ministry announced the postponement of the NEET-PG entrance exam just hours before it was scheduled to take place, citing it as a “precautionary measure” due to recent allegations regarding the integrity of certain competitive exams.

This decision follows the postponement of the Joint Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and UGC-NET exams scheduled for June. The Joint CSIR-UGC-NET determines eligibility for junior research fellowships, assistant professorships, and PhD admissions in science courses.

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan denied any CSIR-NET paper leaks, attributing the postponement to logistical issues. He emphasized that anyone found responsible for irregularities in the NEET-UG exams will face strict action.

Officials have placed Subodh Kumar Singh on “compulsory wait” in the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) until further notice. Pradeep Singh Kharola, Chairman and Managing Director of India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO), has been given additional charge of the NTA until a permanent appointment is made.

Sources suggest that the education ministry may maintain that the NEET-UG exams do not need to be canceled, based on evidence from Bihar police indicating the alleged paper leak in Patna was a “localized affair.” Bihar Police detained six more individuals from Jharkhand’s Deoghar district on Friday night in connection with the case. Last month, the Economic Offences Unit arrested 13 people, including the prime suspect Sikandar Yadavendu, related to the alleged paper leak.

A new plea has been filed in the Supreme Court seeking directives for the CBI and ED to investigate the alleged NEET-UG irregularities. Amid ongoing litigation and protests across the country, the Education Ministry formed a seven-member panel headed by former ISRO chief K Radhakrishnan to ensure transparent and fair conduct of exams by the NTA.

Additionally, the Centre has enacted a stringent law aimed at curbing malpractices and irregularities in competitive examinations, with provisions including a maximum jail term of 10 years and a fine of up to Rs 1 crore for offenders.

The Centre is under fire for the alleged irregularities in the NEET and NET exams. The UGC-NET was canceled a day after it was conducted following reports that the exam’s integrity had been compromised. The CBI is currently investigating the matter.