New Delhi: Reports have emerged that 47 officials of the National Testing Agency (NTA) have been dismissed in connection with the NEET question paper leak. It is also being indicated that criminal proceedings may be initiated against some of them.
The NTA conducts more than 15 national-level examinations, including NEET, JEE Main and CUET, making it one of India’s largest testing bodies. Despite this, repeated allegations of leaks in the medical entrance exam have kept the agency under scrutiny.
After the NEET-UG paper leak linked to the exam held in May, the test was cancelled and a re-examination was conducted on June 21. The Centre has announced that from next year NEET-UG will be held in computer-based mode, and is also considering conducting the exam over a week.
Amid the controversy, the Union government has decided to comprehensively restructure the NTA. The issue has also triggered protests at Jantar Mantar in Delhi, where demonstrators have demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
Government sources said the dismissals are part of a broader overhaul aimed at improving transparency and accountability, and introducing structural and technological reforms to prevent leaks. If implemented as planned, the measures are expected to strengthen the security and credibility of national entrance examinations.
