NEET-PG exam this month, question paper to be drafted 2 hours before test amid paper-leak row: Report

The NEET-PG exam is likely to be held this month with question papers being made two hours before the test. The development comes amid pan India protests against the alleged "scam and corrupt practices" of the National Testing Agency. The central government had postponed several exams last month after irregularities surfaced in the NEET and UGC NET exams.

According to an NDTV report quoting sources, Home Ministry officials met with members of the government's anti-cybercrime body to discuss the matter on Tuesday. The exam will be held later this month with the question paper being made two hours before the test.

The development also came less than a day after the NTA announced revised results for the medical entrance test NEET-UG. The number of candidates sharing the top rank dropped from 67 to 61 after a retest was conducted for 1,563 candidates. They had initially been awarded grace marks to compensate for loss of time as the exam started late at six centres on May 5.

The National Testing Agency has found itself mired in controversy over alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG exam — including claims of a paper leak. The test was originally held in May 5 with 24 lakh candidates and sparked buzz after 67 students scored a perfect 720. The unprecedented number included six people from a Faridabad centre in Haryana — raising suspicions of irregularities and the role of grace marks.

1,563 candidates had initially been awarded grace marks to compensate for loss of time as the exam started late at six centres on May 5. The court had eventually ordered the cancellation of grace marks and the option for a retest amid outrage over the ‘inflated’ scores. The retest was later held on June 23 with the NTA issuing a public notice with the revised ranks of all candidates on Sunday.

The Centre however maintains that the incidents of irregularities are "localised" and it cannot jeopardise careers of lakhs of candidates who cleared the exam rightfully.

(With inputs from agencies)