Tactical move as question paper leak issue set to rock Parliament.
NEW DELHI, June 23 (The CONNECT) – Ahead of the maiden session of the 18th Lok Sabha, the Government has asked the CBI to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the alleged irregularities, cheating, impersonation and malpractices in the recently held NEET.
The government has also appointed an expert committee for a comprehensive study of the National Testing Agency (NTA) examination system and recommend ways to ensure transparency.
The (NTA) conducted NEET(UG) Examination on 5th May 2024 in OMR (Pen and paper) mode.
The ywin announcements come in the wake of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s initial denial of any paper leak and subsequent admission under pressure of the lapses in condcting the NEET by NTA.
The Union Education Ministry of Education has now decided to entrust the matter to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for comprehensive investigation.
Central Government has also enacted the Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, to prevent unfair means in the public examinations and to provide for matter connected therewith or incidental thereto.
Government is committed to ensure the sanctity of examinations and protect the interest of students. It is reiterated that any individual/ organization found to be involved will face strictest action, an official release said.
The Ministry has also constituted a high-level committee under the chairmanship of Dr. K. Radhakrishnan, Former Chairman, ISRO and Chairman BoG, IIT Kanpur to ensure transparent, smooth and fair conduct of examinations through National Testing Agency (NTA).
Dr. Randeep Guleria, Former Director, AIIMS Delhi, Prof. B J Rao,Vice Chancellor, Central University of Hyderabad, Prof. Ramamurthy K, Professor Emeritus, Department of Civil Engineering, IIT Madras, Pankaj Bansal, Co-Founder, People Strong and Board Member- Karmayogi Bharat and Prof. Aditya Mittal, Dean Student Affairs, IIT Delhi and the members, while Govind Jaiswal, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Education, is the member secretary.
The Terms of Reference of the committee are:
(i) Reform in mechanism of examination process
(a) To analyse the end-to-end examination process and suggest measures to improve efficiency of the system and to forestall any possible breach.
(b) To conduct a thorough review of the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)/Protocols of the NTA, and suggest measures to strengthen these procedures/protocols along with monitoring mechanism to ensure compliance at every level.
(ii) Improvement in Data Security protocols:
(a) To evaluate the existing data security processes and protocols of NTA and recommend measures for its improvement.
(b) To examine existing security protocols related to the paper-setting and other processes for different examinations and make recommendations to enhance robustness of system.
(iii) Structure & Functioning of National Testing Agency
(a) To make recommendations on the organizational structure and functioning of the National Testing Agency (NTA) for implementation of recommendations given under point (i) and (ii) and clearly defining the roles and responsibilities of functionaries at every level.
(b) Assess the current Grievance Redressal Mechanism of the NTA, identify areas of improvement and make recommendations for enhancing its efficiency.
The Committee shall submit its report to the Ministry within two months.
The Committee can co-opt any Subject Matter Expert to assist them.
