Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Thursday chaired a high-level meeting to deliberate on the NEET re-examination in the wake of the recent paper leak controversy. The meeting, held at the Ministry of Education, was attended by senior officials from the National Testing Agency (NTA) and other stakeholders.
Key Decisions and Discussions
The primary agenda was to assess the feasibility and timeline for conducting a re-examination for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) after a section of the question paper was leaked on social media platforms. Sources revealed that the meeting discussed measures to prevent future breaches and restore the credibility of the examination process.
Focus on Student Welfare
Minister Pradhan emphasized the need to prioritize student interests while ensuring fairness. He directed officials to propose a robust mechanism for the re-exam, including enhanced security protocols for question paper handling and digital surveillance during the test.
Background of the Controversy
The paper leak came to light when students reported discrepancies in the NEET question paper on May 7. The NTA had initially conducted the exam on May 5, but the leak forced the government to consider a re-exam. The Ministry of Education has been under pressure from opposition parties and student groups to take swift action.
Next Steps
The meeting concluded with a decision to form a committee of experts to finalize the re-exam schedule within a week. The committee will also review the standard operating procedures for future exams. The NTA has been asked to provide a detailed report on the leak and suggest technological upgrades to prevent recurrence.
In a statement, the Ministry of Education assured that all necessary steps would be taken to conduct the re-exam transparently. Further announcements are expected after the committee submits its recommendations.
