NEET-UG 2024 Row: IMA Welcomes CBI Probe into 'Irregularities', Thanks Modi Govt for Prompt Response

The Indian Medical Association on Sunday thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other key ministers for their prompt response to concerns surrounding the controversies over the NEET-UG 2024. It welcomed the central government’s decision to transfer the probe into alleged irregularities in the all-India examination to the CBI.

“We extend our gratitude to the Union Ministry of Education for transferring the investigation of the ‘irregularities’ in NEET-UG to the CBI for a thorough probe,” it said in a statement.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) filed an FIR on Sunday in connection with the alleged irregularities in NEET-UG held on May 5 on a reference from the Union education ministry, amid countrywide protests and litigation by students for a probe into paper leak allegations.

The action came a day after the ministry announced it will hand over the probe to the central agency, a demand raised by a section of protesting students. The Indian Medical Association (IMA) further said it is thankful to the government for removing the National Testing Agency (NTA) director general.

“We appreciate the government for enacting stringent laws to address malpractice and irregularities in competitive examinations. In cases of organised crime involving examination authorities, service providers, or other institutions, offenders may face imprisonment of up to 10 years and a minimum fine of Rs 1 crore,” the IMA said in its statement.

It said the students are the future of India and it is crucial that important competitive examinations are conducted with the utmost diligence and confidentiality. “We trust that the difficulties endured by NEET-PG students are an inevitable corollary of the welcome reforms of the government and we hope for the robust mechanism as promised by the government,” it added.

The IMA also urged the government to take swift action to ensure that counselling for admission in medical, dental and other courses begins on time.

The NTA conducted a retest for 1,563 students, who were awarded grace marks in the exam to make up for lost time at six centres. A total of 67 students scored an unprecedented perfect 720, with six from a centre in Haryana’s Faridabad figuring in the list and, in the process, raising suspicions about irregularities. The NEET-UG is conducted for admissions to MBBS, BDS, AYUSH and other related courses in government and private medical institutions.

The health ministry on Saturday (June 22) postponed NEET-PG, scheduled to be held on June 23, as a “precautionary measure” in the wake of recent allegations on the integrity of certain competitive exams.

(With PTI inputs)