NEET UG Exam and UGC NET June 2024 Live Updates: CBI takes over 5 cases from Bihar, Gujarat and Rajasthan pertaining to alleged malpractices in NEET-UG

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) acquired all relevant evidence pertaining to the alleged NEET-UG paper leak case from the Economic Offences Unit (EOU) of the Bihar police on Monday. The EOU had been in charge of the investigation until the CBI took over. Sources reported that a two-member CBI team, consisting of a DIG and a deputy SP rank officer, arrived in the state capital from Delhi and proceeded directly to the EOU office. They are expected to remain in the city for a few days.

After formally taking over the investigation, the CBI officials discussed the case with EOU personnel and also met with officials from the Shastri Nagar Police station in Patna. The first case related to the paper leak had been registered at this police station on May 5, following the arrest of several individuals in connection with the case, according to sources.

A protest was organized by Congress workers in Rajasthan on Monday, expressing their concerns about alleged irregularities in the administration of the NEET-UG medical entrance exam. The protest was spearheaded by Govind Singh Dotasra, the Rajasthan Congress president, and Tika Ram Jully, the Leader of Opposition in the state assembly. In addition to the NEET-UG issue, the protesters also voiced their dissatisfaction with the BJP-led state government's handling of the power crisis and the overall law and order situation in Rajasthan.

Top officials from the Union health ministry on Monday reviewed the process of the NEET-PG exam, two days after the entrance examination to postgraduate medical courses was postponed. The National Eligibility Entrance Test (Postgraduate) entrance examination is conducted by the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS), along with its technical partner Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), for medical students.

The government on Saturday postponed the NEET-PG entrance examination, scheduled to be held on June 23, as a "precautionary measure" in the wake of recent allegations on the integrity of certain competitive exams.

The Monday meeting was held to check the "robustness" of the system for the conduct of the exam in the coming days, sources said.

The Central Bureau of Investigation has initiated investigations into five new cases related to alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG exam. These cases were previously being investigated by police authorities in Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Bihar. According to officials, the CBI has re-registered one case each from Gujarat and Bihar, and three cases from Rajasthan, while it is also expected to take up another case from Latur, Maharashtra.Apart from the case in Bihar, the other four cases seem to be isolated incidents involving impersonation and cheating by local officials, invigilators, and candidates.

RJD MP Manoj Jha claimed on Monday that the "NEET corruption" is linked with elections and alleged proximity between those named for paper leaks and leaders of the JD(U) and BJP. At a press conference here, the Rajya Sabha MP of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) expressed solidarity with the protesting students and accused Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan of playing with their future.

"Where is Dharmendra Pradhanji, who gave a clean chit to this exam? You are playing with the future of students," Jha said.

"Despite everything, the education minister gave a clean chit and manufactured a story that they are forming a high-powered committee. There is enough evidence, yet no action is being taken against the culprits," he added.

The CBI has taken over the investigation of five new cases of alleged malpractices in the medical entrance exam NEET-UG that were being probed by police in Gujarat, Rajasthan and Bihar, officials said on Monday. They said the central agency has re-registered one case each from Gujarat and Bihar and three cases from Rajasthan as its own FIR, while it is also likely to take up another case from Maharashtra's Latur.

Barring the case from Bihar, the other four appear to be isolated incidents of impersonation and cheating by local officials, invigilators and candidates, the officials said.

The CBI has already registered its own FIR in connection with the case on a reference from the Union education ministry to conduct a comprehensive probe, they said.

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Anil Desai on Monday said addressing the NEET-UG row requires more than arresting a few individuals and claimed the involvement of a broader network in the case. "The entire reputation has been tarnished because of NEET. Simply arresting one or two officers will not resolve the issue. There is an extensive racket at work," alleged the Mumbai South Central MP.

Desai's criticism comes in the wake of the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) arresting a Zilla Parishad school teacher from Latur in Maharashtra and registering a case against four persons for allegedly operating a racket to help NEET students willing to pay money to crack the exam.

Union Minister and Hindustan Awam Morcha (HAM) Chief Jitan Ram Manjhi on Monday attacked the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) amid the ongoing row over the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET)-UG row, claiming that the latter is behind the irregularities in the medical examination.

"Chor machaye shor. Har cheez ke gunahgaar woh (RJD) hain. (The thief himself is protesting. The RJD is behind all the irregularities in the exams)", said Manjhi told.

Amid the NEET-NET paper leaks row that has affected tens of thousands of students, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to consider giving states "freedom to select medical students through Joint Entrance Examination".

In a letter to the PM, Banerjee said "allegations of paper leak, taking bribes by certain people and the officials involved in the conduct of the examinations" are some serious issues that require "a thorough, clean and impartial probe.

The recent NEET-UG paper leak scam tentacles have reached Maharashtra, with the arrest of two coaching institute teachers and an ITI instructor from Latur after the state Anti Terrorism Squad (ATS) and Latur Police investigations in the past two days, officials said here on Monday. Another person wanted in the case is absconding.

The two teachers, identified as Sanjay T Jadhav and Jalil U Pathan, were initially detained on Saturday, released after questioning but were subsequently arrested late on Sunday as more evidence surfaced against them.

Union Minister Chirag Paswan said on Monday that the government has "nothing to hide" regarding the ongoing row over alleged irregularities in the conduct of NEET-UG exam by the National Testing Agency (NTA).

The Union Minister further said that the culprits will not be spared.

"The government has nothing to hide. The government has taken this issue very seriously. Investigation agencies are conducting investigations. For the welfare of students, the decision will be taken shortly. The culprits will not be spared," said Paswan.

The Congress on Monday alleged that there has been no action against chairman of the National Testing Agency (NTA) P K Joshi, who is "holding interviews" for appointment of VCs and Directors of premier educational institutes across the country. Congress leader Pawan Khera claimed that last week, Joshi interviewed candidates for the post of Vice Chancellor of Mahatma Gandhi University Wardha and today he will interview candidates for directorship of the prestigious Indian Institute for Advanced Study (Shimla).

A team from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) arrived in Godhra, a city located in Gujarat's Panchmahal district, on Monday to probe the alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG medical entrance exam, which was conducted on May 5, according to officials.

The Godhra police had registered a case on May 8 under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including "criminal conspiracy, cheating and criminal breach of trust," for allegedly attempting to assist 27 candidates in passing the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (Undergraduate) in exchange for a sum of Rs 10 lakh each.

Over 2 dozen students, including members of the NSUI, were detained by the police while they were demonstrating against alleged malpractices in the NEET-UG examination at Jantar Mantar on Monday. The protest, dubbed 'Chhatra Sansad Gherav', was organized by the National Students' Union of India, which is affiliated with the Congress party, and aimed to march to the Parliament on the inaugural day of the 18th Lok Sabha's first session.


The protesters, carrying placards and NSUI flags, assembled in significant numbers at Jantar Mantar. In anticipation of the demonstration, the police had set up barricades to prevent the students from proceeding with their march. A substantial number of Delhi police personnel, along with paramilitary forces, were deployed at the location.

According to images of the protest provided to the media, several students attempted to breach the barricades, while others climbed on top of the structure. As the march lacked the necessary permission, the Delhi police detained the students and transported them to various police stations, as stated by an officer.

On NEET UG and UGC NET exam issue, JNU Vice-Chancellor Prof Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit says, "There have been leaks in the examination. The students have greatly suffered. But, the Union government and the Ministry of Education did act immediately. They have put up an inquiry and also a high-power commission to look into it... The government has to take stringent actions at the systemic level. Because the leak is somewhere within the system..."

On NEET-UG retest, National Conference President Dr Farooq Abdullah says, " This is a crime committed on students...they qualified for the exams by studying not buying papers. Now they are put through the trouble again...wherever they feel something wrong has happened, there they can (conduct the retest) but retest all over the country?...conducting an exam all over India is not an easy job and repeating it is an unfortunate thing"

Amid the CBI probe into the NEET exam question paper leak case, the Economic Offences Unit (EOU) of the Bihar Police has stumbled across several shocking details leading to the underbelly of the exam mafia and its role in the recent spate of cancellation of exams, leaving aspirants across the country worried and puzzled.

"A big shake-up in technology and capacity building is needed," said a senior official. He noted that merely looking at exam models proposed by the forthcoming high-powered committee will not be enough. For example, the computer-based ITEP had to be cancelled "despite having a comparatively smaller number of candidates. Each file was around 5GB, and when downloaded at the centres, they received distorted question papers".

The 7-member committee is led by former Isro chief Dr K Radhakrishnan and includes Dr Randeep Guleria, Prof B J Rao, Prof. Ramamurthy K, Pankaj Bansal, Aditya Mittal, Govind Jaiswal. The committee will meet today, news agency ANI reported quoting sources at education ministry.

BJP leader Rajeev Chandrasekhar expressed his disappointment on Sunday regarding the disadvantages faced by students in the recent NEET UG exam issue. However, he acknowledged the government's commitment to ensuring secure examinations that benefit meritorious students rather than those who engage in corrupt practices. Chandrasekhar stated, "It is disappointing that students have been disadvantaged. But as Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has said the government is committed to making sure that these examinations are done in a secure manner and those who are meritorious are the ones who benefit from these exams, not those who are corrupt and crooked. I think the steps that have been taken by the government of India are good and solid steps that will give a lot of confidence to the students."

The National Testing Agency (NTA), responsible for conducting the NEET-UG exams, has faced criticism due to alleged irregularities in the examination process. This has led to widespread protests across the country, with demonstrators and political parties demanding the disbandment of the NTA. The concerns were further heightened by the unprecedented achievement of 67 candidates scoring a perfect 720 out of 720 marks.

In response to the situation, the Ministry of Education has taken action by forming a high-level committee of experts. The committee's primary objectives are to provide recommendations for reforms in the examination process mechanism, enhance data security protocols, and improve the overall functioning of the NTA. The government's proactive approach aims to address the concerns raised and restore confidence in the examination system.

Congress MP Hibi Eden has labeled the NEET controversy as one of the most significant scams in India, suggesting the involvement of numerous individuals and substantial financial resources. On Sunday, he called for an independent investigation to be conducted under the supervision of Supreme Court judges.

Eden expressed his belief that the controversy is not an isolated incident but rather a recurring issue spanning several years. He highlighted the stance of states like Tamil Nadu, which have advocated for the use of qualifying exams as the primary criteria for medical entrance examinations. Eden further emphasized the presence of a lobby working behind the scenes and the need for a thorough inquiry to be carried out by an independent body under the guidance of the Supreme Court. He also demanded the cancellation of the entire NEET process.

The National Testing Agency (NTA), responsible for conducting the NEET-UG exams, has faced widespread criticism due to alleged irregularities in the examination process. This has led to numerous protests across the country, with demonstrators and political parties calling for the disbandment of the NTA. Adding to the concerns, an unprecedented 67 candidates achieved a perfect score of 720 out of 720 marks.

In response to the controversy, the Ministry of Education has formed a high-level committee comprising experts to provide recommendations for reforms in the examination process, enhancements in data security protocols, and improvements in the functioning of the NTA.

The National Testing Agency (NTA) is currently facing a significant crisis, with employees uncertain about their ability to securely administer any examination due to the looming threat of the 'darknet'. Despite these obstacles, the agency is still expected to carry out exams and release results in a timely manner to avoid disrupting the academic calendar, which was successfully restored last year following the Covid-19 disturbances in 2020. Another pressing issue is maintaining the cohesion of the agency amidst speculation of officials on deputation seeking to depart.

In the context of the NEET-UG paper leak investigation, the term "handler" has taken on a new meaning, extending beyond its traditional associations with airport cargo, police dog squads, political campaigns, and espionage.

As investigators unravel the intricate web of the nationwide exam racket, they have gained insights into the modus operandi of these "handlers," whose activities are deeply entrenched in the states of Bihar and Jharkhand.

The six handlers arrested from Jharkhand's Deoghar used to reside in rented accommodation, masquerading as labourers. Their brief was to ensure the leaked papers reached the intended recipients while maintaining high secrecy and anonymity.

The National Testing Agency (NTA) is facing scrutiny over irregularities in the NEET-UG exam and the cancellation of the UGC-NET due to question paper leaks on the "darknet". This has sparked a debate among experts about the advantages and disadvantages of offline and digital exam delivery methods. In response to these issues, the ministry of education has formed a high-powered committee to examine all aspects of the examination process and the functioning of the NTA. Some experts believe that computer-based tests (CBT) offer better security compared to traditional pen-and-paper exams.

NTA officials, who are under scrutiny, have acknowledged the challenges of conducting exams securely in both formats, despite following all security protocols. They have proposed a year-round exam model, similar to the scholastic aptitude test (SAT) conducted by the college board and educational testing service in the US. This model would allow candidates to appear for the exam multiple times and use their best score for college admissions.

Traditionally, NEET-UG has been a single-sitting pen-and-paper exam. On the other hand, UGC-NET, which has been computer-based since 2018, reverted to a pen-and-paper OMR mode on Tuesday. However, the exam was cancelled after the national cybercrime threat analytics unit of the Indian cybercrime coordination centre (I4C) provided inputs indicating that the exam had been compromised.

In Bihar's Nawada district, a team of CBI officers investigating the UGC-NET leak case faced an unexpected attack on Saturday. The incident occurred when the officers, accompanied by a female constable from the local police station, arrived at Kasiyadih village in the Rajauli area to conduct their investigation. The villagers, mistaking the team for impostors, assaulted them and damaged their vehicles. This marks the first reported incident of violence against investigators probing recent paper leak cases in the state, according to officials.

Ambrish Rahul, the Superintendent of Police in Nawada, stated, "The CBI team had seized two cellphones in the probe. However, the villagers mistook the team for impostors and assaulted them. An FIR has been filed against eight named and more than 100 unidentified persons in the matter. Four people, including a woman, were arrested and sent to jail."

Bihar Government to hand over the case related to the irregularities in the NEET UG examination held on May 5 to the CBI. The CBI team is expected soon in Patna to take over the investigation of the case. Economic Offences Unit shall hand over all the updated case records to CBI: EOU DIG Nayyar Hasnain Khan

Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary on Sunday said an inquiry is underway on various aspects of the alleged paper leak in the NEET exam and the guilty will be jailed. Bihar Police's Economic Offences Unit last month arrested 13 people, including prime suspect Sikandar Yadavendu, in connection with the alleged paper leak in the NEET-UG 2024 exam conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA).

Bihar Police had also detained six people from Jharkhand's Deoghar district in connection with the case.

"An inquiry is underway. Who are the people involved in this? How did they commit irregularities? All will be jailed after filing FIR," Choudhary told reporters in Gwalior when asked about the progress of the investigation.

Several candidates and parents who arrived at exam centres for NEET-PG scheduled for Sunday unaware that it had been postponed rued allegations of irregularities plaguing exams conducted by the National Testing Agency and asserted it was adding to their already heightened stress and tension.


The Union Health Ministry had on Saturday said it was postponing NEET-PG as a "precautionary measure" in the wake of recent allegations on the integrity of certain competitive exams. The Union Ministry of Health said it was undertaking a thorough assessment of the robustness of processes of the NEET-PG entrance examination, conducted by NTA for medical students.

"...It is disappointing that students have been disadvantaged. But as Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has said the government is committed to making sure that these examinations are done in a secure manner and those who are meritorious are the ones who benefit from these exams, not those who are corrupt and crooked. I think the steps that have been taken by the government of India are good and solid steps that will give a lot of confidence to the students..."

63 candidates were debarred from all over the country over malpractices. Now 17 candidates from Bihar have been debarred for malpractices during the NEET examination. 30 candidates from centres in Godhra have been debarred: National Testing Agency (NTA)

The National Testing Agency has reported that out of 1,563 candidates, only 813 appeared for the re-exam on June 23 which means 750 skipped the retest after an order from the Supreme Court. The retest took place at seven centers. An official reported, “As many as 813 of the 1,563 candidates who were earlier awarded grace marks in NEET-UG appeared for a retest on Sunday.”

The six accused arrested in connection with the NEET-UG case today underwent medical examination at LNJP Hospital Patna in Bihar.

Bihar Police arrested the accused from Jharkhand's Deoghar on June 21.

Soon after being entrusted with the probe into the alleged irregularities in the National Eligibility-Cum-Entrance-Test (NEET) (UG) Examination 2024, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has registered an FIR in the case, sources said on Sunday.

Indian Medical Association appreciated the government's decision regarding the NEET UG paper leak controversy and said that they have taken prompt response to the their concerns regarding the examination controversy

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor sparked controversy by mocking the BJP-led government over exam irregularities with a meme on Uttar Pradesh, drawing sharp criticism. Tharoor's post featured a viral meme defining UP as a state where answers are known before exams. BJP leaders condemned the remark as insulting and demanded an apology, escalating tensions amidst ongoing scrutiny over national exam paper leaks.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Priyanka Chaturvedi demanded the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the alleged NEET (UG) paper leak and said that there is an "education emergency" in the country.

Notably, the Centre on Saturday removed National Testing Agency (NTA) Director General Subodh Kumar Singh from his post and put him on "compulsory wait" in the Department of Personnel and Training. This comes amidst a growing controversy over alleged irregularities in the conduct of exams.

"I would say there is an education emergency in this country, the rate at which exams are being cancelled, the rate at which the Education Minister is refusing to hold himself accountable. We are seeing how one paper after another is being postponed or cancelled. Dharmendra Pradhan had refused any inquiry regarding the NEET paper leak. Just transferring the NTA chairman will not work. As far as the Education Ministry is concerned, Dharmendra Pradhan will have to resign for being a complete failure."

An exam centre in Chandigarh where all arrangements had been made, including the deployment of police and invigilators, for two students to take their NEET-UG retest on Sunday shut the gates after neither turned up. An official at St Joseph's Senior Secondary School in Chandigarh's Sector-44 said the gates were to be closed at 1:30 pm. After neither student turned up for the retest, the authorities shut the gates.

The re-exam was held from 2 pm to 5:20 pm.

The National Testing Agency (NTA) is conducting a retest for 1,563 students awarded grace marks in the Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test Undergraduate (NEET-UG) to make up for time loss at six centres. As many as 67 students scored a perfect 720, unprecedented in the NTA's history, with six from a centre in Haryana's Faridabad figuring in the list, raising suspicions about irregularities.

The Communist Party of India (Marxist) has called for the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan amidst allegations of paper leaks and exam cancellations that have plagued the National Testing Agency (NTA). In a statement released on Sunday, the CPI(M) politburo expressed its deep concern over the troubling developments that have engulfed the centralized all-India examination processes.

The Left party specifically mentioned the cancellations of exams such as NEET-PG and UGC-NET, stating, "The combined impact of this are irregularities and complete collapse of the processes which affects vital sectors of higher education in the country." The CPI(M) believes that these issues are not solely the result of corruption but also stem from the centralization, commercialization, and communalization of education.

DMK spokesperson Saravanan Annadurai slammed the government after the Centre postponed the NEET-PG exam, and said that almost 50 lakh people have been affected, and there has not been even a single word from the Prime Minister.

"BJP government is incompetent. It is allowing organised gangs to leak papers. Four high-quality exams have been cancelled. Almost 50 lakh students have been affected by the sheer criminal negligence of the BJP party. There is not even a single word from the PM," Annadurai told ANI.

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare postponed the NEET PG Examination on Saturday, which was scheduled to be held on Sunday and said that a fresh date will be announced at the earliest.

In Rajkot, Gujarat, students gathered to voice their opposition to the proposed re-examination of the NEET-UG test on Sunday. The protesters expressed their concerns about the potential impact on their academic future.

Palak, a NEET-UG candidate, shared her perspective, stating, "I have scored 682 marks in the NEET-UG exams. There should be no re-NEET exams, as we have scored these marks with hard work and dedication. The students who have scored below 600 marks are demanding for re-NEET. After a gap of 1.5 months, it won't be possible to score well again. It is like playing with our future."

The NEET-UG 2024 examination was held on May 5, and the results were announced on June 4, earlier than the originally planned date of June 14.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has initiated an investigation into the alleged irregularities surrounding the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test for Undergraduate (NEET-UG) courses, which was conducted on May 5. The agency filed a First Information Report (FIR) against unknown individuals based on a reference from the Ministry of Education, according to officials.


This development follows the Centre's announcement on Saturday that the probe into the alleged malpractices during the exam would be entrusted to the CBI. The medical entrance test, which saw the participation of approximately 24 lakh students, has been marred by allegations of misconduct.

“The central government has taken the issue seriously. Decisions that have been taken recently clearly show that strict actions will be taken,” says JD(U) leader Rajiv Ranjan.

"I appeal with folded hands that there should be a probe into this. All the arrested people are from Bihar's Nalanda...paper leak happened in Hazaribagh, it is a big question. The Jharkhand govt is indulged in all types of misdeeds...but I don't want to raise any allegations against anyone. There should be a probe," BJP MP Nishikant Dubey on NEET row. (ANI)

"This is not a serious government... The NEET-PG exam has been postponed. The CSIR exam has been cancelled. UGC NET has been cancelled. I am saying repeatedly that NDA should be dismantled. Dharmendra Pradhan should resign. You are playing with the future of children. There is a lot of anger among the youth. NTA should be dismantled," RJD MP Manoj Jha on NEET and UGC-NET issues.

"This is extremely wrong. I have travelled 600 km to attend the exam. The exam was scheduled for March after which it for postponed to July. Later they postponed their exam and now they have postponed the exam again. We should have been informed at least 24 hours before. There is no information on the paper leak as of now," NEET PG candidate Sunanda Pansari told news agency ANI on the postponement of the NEET-PG exam.

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Sunday attacked the Narendra Modi government over the alleged irregularities in national competitive exams, including the NEET-UG, alleging that it has handed over the entire education system to the "mafia" and the "corrupt". Her reaction came a day after the Union education ministry set up a panel to review the functioning of the National Testing Agency (NTA) -- the body responsible for conducting the tests -- and recommend exam reforms.

The Centre on Saturday also shunted out the agency's Director General Subodh Singh and handed over the probe into the irregularities in medical entrance exam NEET-UG to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

In a post on X, Priyanka Gandhi said the NEET-UG question paper was "leaked" while the NEET-PG, UGC-NET and CSIR-NET exams were "cancelled".

"This is the condition of some of the biggest examinations in the country today. Under the BJP's rule, the entire education system has been handed over to the mafia and the corrupt," the Congress leader said in her post in Hindi.

"The political stubbornness and arrogance of handing over the country's education and the future of children to greedy and sycophantic incompetent people has made paper leaks, cancellation of exams, disappearance of education from campuses and political hooliganism the identity of our education system," she said.

"No one is going to be spared, no matter how big or influential someone is, no one is going to be spared," Union Minister Sanjay Seth said on NEET UG and UGC NET exam issue.

"BJP government is incompetent. It is allowing organised gangs to leak papers...Four high-quality exams have been cancelled...Almost 50 lakh students have been affected by the sheer criminal negligence of the BJP party...There is not even a single word from the PM," said the DMK spokesperson Saravanan Annadurai on NEET PG exam getting postponed. (ANI)