Amid continuing concerns over the integrity of the upcoming NEET-UG re-examination, senior officials from the Ministries of Health and Education on Wednesday assured a parliamentary panel that robust safeguards have been implemented to ensure the June 21 test is conducted in a transparent, secure and fair manner.

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health and Family Welfare had summoned the secretaries of both ministries to review preparations for the re-examination, which was necessitated after the cancellation of the May 3 NEET-UG test due to a paper leak. The exam was formally scrapped on May 12, triggering widespread concern among students and parents.

Senior officials from the National Testing Agency (NTA) and the National Medical Commission (NMC) also appeared before the panel and briefed members on the arrangements being made to prevent any recurrence of irregularities.

During the meeting, committee members urged officials to adopt a fool-proof system for conducting entrance examinations and pointed out that large-scale tests are conducted in countries such as China and the United States without incidents of paper leaks. They called on authorities to study the best international practices and strengthen coordination between the NTA and NMC to safeguard the integrity of the examination process.

Panel members also expressed concern over the growing mental stress faced by students, highlighting reports of rising anxiety and suicides among aspirants amid repeated instances of paper leaks, cancellations and uncertainty surrounding competitive examinations.

This was the third parliamentary committee appearance by senior officials from the Health and Education ministries, as well as the NTA and NMC, since the controversy erupted. Officials had earlier informed parliamentary panels on education that the June 21 re-examination would be conducted in the traditional pen-and-paper format.

Separately, CBI Director Praveen Sood appeared before another parliamentary panel and briefed members on the progress of the investigation into the paper leak case, including efforts to identify and arrest those responsible.

The NEET-UG examination is the country’s largest medical entrance test and serves as the gateway for admission to undergraduate medical courses across government and private institutions. The cancellation of the May 3 examination followed allegations of a question paper leak in several states, prompting demands from students, opposition parties and education experts for a transparent investigation and fresh examination.

The controversy has reignited concerns over the security of high-stakes competitive examinations in India. In recent years, multiple recruitment and entrance tests have faced allegations of leaks and malpractice, leading to calls for stronger technological safeguards, stricter accountability mechanisms and comprehensive reforms in the examination system.

Inputs from The New Indian Express

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