National Testing Agency Chief Sacked By Centre Amid Raging NEET-NET Paper Leak Row

The National Testing Agency (NTA) is under fire over the alleged irregularities and paper leaks in the NEET and UGC-NET exams which sparked huge protests across the country.

NEET Paper Leak: The Central government on Saturday sacked National Testing Agency (NTA) Director General Subodh Singh amid a raging controversy sparked by alleged irregularities and paper leaks in competitive exams NEET and UGC-NET.

A senior official said India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO) Chairman and Managing Director Pradeep Singh Kharola has been assigned additional charge of the testing agency till a regular incumbent is appointed.

Singh, meanwhile, has been put on “compulsory wait” in the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) till further orders, the official said.

“NTA DG has been put on compulsory wait in the Department of Personnel and Training. Pradeep Singh Kharola has been assigned additional charge of NTA DG till further orders,” he said.

The Central government has cancelled the UGC-NET even amid allegations of paper leak in NEET-UG as well and demand for its cancellation.

Ex-ISRO chief-led panel to suggest NTA reforms

Meanwhile, earlier in the day, the Union Education Ministry notified the a seven-member panel headed by former ISRO chief K Radhakrishnan to ensure transparent, smooth and fair conduct of examinations through the NTA, the testing agency which conducts the NEET, UGC-NET, CUET and JEE (Main) competitive exams in the country

“Transparent, tamper-free and zero-error examinations are a commitment. Setting up of the high-level committee of experts is the first of a series of steps to improve the efficiency of the examination process, put an end to all possible malpractices, strengthen data security protocols and overhaul and reform the NTA,” Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said.

“Students’ interests and their bright future will always be our government’s top priority,” he added.

The ministry’s notification comes two days after Pradhan announced the setting up of the committee.

NEET Paper Leak

A massive row erupted following the declaration of NEET-UG 2024 results which saw an unprecedented 67 candidates securing a perfect score of 720/720, bringing the competitive test under the scanner and sparking protests across the country against the NTA after it was discovered that the NEET question paper was leaked in several states ahead of the exams.

Later, it was also found that over 1,500 students across six centres were awarded grace marks by the NTA, adding fuel to the already raging paper leak controversy.

(With PTI inputs)