New Delhi: Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Friday said that the National Testing Agency (NTA) will conduct the NEET-UG re-examination on June 21. Pradhan also announced that the examination will be shifted to Computer-Based Test (CBT) mode from next year as part of reforms aimed at improving transparency and preventing malpractice.
Addressing a press briefing, Pradhan assured students that malpractice would not be allowed in the examination again and said the government’s top priority is the future of students.
“Our topmost priority is the future of the students, and the government is sensitive towards their hard work and efforts. We will not let malpractice happen this time. The government is with you. We had to make a difficult decision in the interest of the nation. We are very sad,” Pradhan said.
The Education Minister confirmed that NEET-UG questions had gone out under the guise of “guess papers.” He said that the NEET-UG examination was cancelled after an investigation verified that actual exam questions were leaked under the same guise.
“The process began on the morning of May 8 and continued through May 8, 9, 10, and 11. When we got clarity and were confirmed that questions had gone out this time on the basis of the leaked paper, we made a decision on May 12 in the interest of students. We did not want any deserving candidate to be deprived of their rights because of the conspiracy of education mafias,” he said.
Pradhan reiterated that the government followed a zero-tolerance approach towards examination irregularities and had implemented the recommendations of the Radhakrishnan Committee after issues surfaced last year.
Stressing that the National Testing Agency (NTA) remains fully accountable, he said, “NTA is fully accountable. The NTA is in the hands of an able person. It has been formed on the recommendation of the Supreme Court and conducts examinations for nearly one crore students each year. We will ensure zero errors in the NTA,” adding that the issue should be viewed as a challenge related to the examination process rather than any individual institution.
The Education Minister said the duration of the NEET re-examination would be extended by 15 minutes to facilitate formalities such as signing attendance sheets and other procedures.
He added that fees will be refunded and no charges will be levied for the upcoming examination.
Further, Pradhan said the NTA will allow students to choose their preferred examination city again. “A large number of students appear for this examination every year. The NTA will issue a detailed public notice by this evening with complete information. Prima facie, the NTA has decided to give students one week to choose their preferred examination city again, because many candidates may have left the city where they appeared for the previous exam,” he said.
“The Government of India will speak to the states regarding transportation, and I will also personally speak with Chief Ministers so that students face minimal difficulties,” he added.
