Trigger Warning: Mentions of suicide
The Education Ministry announced on June 19 the cancellation of the UGC-NET examination after inputs from the Ministry of Home Affairs suggested that the integrity of the examinations had been compromised. As the nation watches, the credibility of the National Testing Agency (NTA), a government body entrusted with conducting some of India’s most significant examinations, hangs in the balance.
Entrusted with securing the future of millions of students, the NTA has a critical responsibility. However, it has faltered in numerous ways: the apparent mishandling of exam papers, inadequate security measures leading to allegations of widespread cheating, delays in result declarations, and now, the unprecedented cancellation of crucial exams like UGC-NET.
Each misstep jeopardises the future of individual students and undermines trust in the entire educational system. How has one of India’s most respected examinations become a source of nationwide controversy, challenging the very foundations of educational fairness?
NEET 2024 Irregularity
Every year, millions of aspiring doctors in India pin their hopes on a single, gruelling examination—the National Eligibility Cum Entrance Test (Undergraduate), or NEET-UG. This crucial exam, overseen by the NTA, serves as the gateway to nationwide medical colleges. This year’s NEET-UG has sparked unprecedented outrage, fueling protests and allegations of cheating.
Thousands of candidates have achieved suspiciously high marks, triggering a cascade of confusion and frustration. The unusual spike in top scores has disrupted the traditional ranking system, leaving even high-achieving students in a precarious position, uncertain if they will gain admission to their desired colleges.
A Troubling History of Mismanagement
NTA’s mishandling of examinations can be traced back to 2020. In a tragic turn, the NTA mistakenly reported Vidhi Suryavanshi from Chhindwara district, Madhya Pradesh, to have scored only six marks in the NEET (UG) 2020 examination. This erroneous score led to immense stress for Vidhi, who subsequently took her own life. Later, it was revealed through her response sheet that she had scored 590 marks, highlighting a grave error on the part of the NTA.
Mridul Rawat’s Case in NEET (UG) 2020
The same year, Mridul Rawat, a resident of Gangapur town of Sawai Madhopur in Rajasthan, was initially declared by the NTA to have received very low marks. Dissatisfied with the results, Rawat contested this decision. Upon re-evaluation of his OMR sheet and answer key, it was found that he was, in fact, the all-India topper in the ST category.
Initially awarded 320 marks, Rawat was confident he had scored more and reached out to the NTA via an X post. He then received an email indicating he had scored 650 marks and was declared the all-India ST topper. However, Rawat reported that his second marksheet still had inconsistencies, showing a total of 650 marks but with 350 written in words. The NTA denied Rawat’s claims, with then director-general Vineet Joshi asserting that the reported score 650 was false and filing a complaint with the cybersecurity cell under the IT Act.
JEE Main 2021 Hacking Incident
In 2021, the JEE Main exam was compromised when Mikhail Shargin from Russia hacked into the software provided by Tata Consultancy Services. Shargin’s hacking enabled students to cheat as ‘teachers’ or ‘coaches’ could take control of their computers and take the exam on their behalf. This remote access was facilitated through an examination centre in Sonepat, Haryana. The scam involved several foreign nationals and banned around 20 students from taking the exam for the next three years.
NEET-UG 2022 Security Controversy
An outrage erupted in 2022 in Kerala when girls appearing for the NEET medical entrance exam were forced to remove their bras during a security check. The incident occurred after metal hooks on their bras set off security alarms. Five women, including three who enforced this humiliating procedure, were arrested. NTA responded by stating that the NEET dress code “does not permit any such activity alleged.”
NEET-UG 2022 Impersonation Scandal
In another scandal in 2022, the CBI questioned eight people for allegedly impersonating candidates to help them in the NEET-UG exam. The probe agency noted that this was just one module of criminals and suspected the existence of more such modules operating a “rigging racket.” The alleged ‘mastermind,’ Sushil Ranjan, had a passport from an address in Delhi’s Safdarjung and was reportedly arranging ‘solvers’ for candidates for a price.
JEE (Main) 2022 Examination Issues
In 2022, the NTA faced widespread criticism for handling the JEE (Main) examination. Technical issues during the exam led to lower scores for many students, and glitches were also reported in the answer key and response sheets. These issues sparked significant discontent among students and their families, who felt that the agency’s mismanagement was jeopardising their future prospects.
JEE (Main) 2024 Examination Controversies
The NTA’s troubles continued into 2024 with the JEE (Main) examinations. In the first session, there were allegations of irregularities in the difficulty levels of question papers, which led to the normalisation of marks and, subsequently, lower scores for candidates. Students also reported errors in percentile calculation and uneven distribution of candidates across shifts, claiming that two shifts had disproportionately more students, leading to discrepancies in scoring.
The NTA defended its process, stating that a computer randomly assigned exam dates, shifts, and slots and that the varied difficulty levels were an inherent aspect of multi-shift examinations. They emphasised that their normalisation procedure, based on percentile scores, aimed to ensure fairness for all candidates.
JEE Main 2024 Impersonation and Cheating
After conducting the JEE Main 2024, the NTA reported that around 39 candidates were debarred from the entrance exam for using unfair means (UFM). The agency had earlier detected one case of impersonation and nine cases of unfair means on the first day of JEE Main Session 2. These offenders were identified through AI-enabled monitoring and biometric verification, and they were disqualified for three years due to their involvement in unfair practices.
The NTA was established to ensure a standardised, fair, and transparent examination process. However, a series of missteps and scandals have severely dented its reputation. As the NTA grapples with these ongoing controversies, the stakes have never been higher. The future of millions of students and the integrity of India’s educational system are at risk. It remains to be seen whether the agency can restore its credibility and ensure a fair and transparent examination process in the years to come.
Restoring credibility is a monumental task that requires comprehensive reforms. The NTA must implement robust security measures to prevent cheating and hacking, ensure accurate and timely reporting of results, and establish transparent mechanisms for addressing grievances and errors. This includes adopting advanced technologies for secure exam administration, increasing officials’ accountability, and maintaining open communication with all stakeholders.
Moreover, the NTA needs to foster a culture of integrity and transparency. This involves not only addressing past errors but also proactively preventing future issues. Engaging with educational experts, policymakers, and the public to rebuild trust is crucial. The agency must demonstrate a commitment to fairness and excellence, showing that it values the futures it safeguards.