The UGC-NET exam paper, scheduled for June 18 and conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA), was leaked 48 hours before the exam, according to Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) sources. NDTV reported that the leaked paper was sold on the dark web and encrypted social media platforms for ₹6 lakh.
The Ministry of Education, Government of India, decided to cancel the UGC-NET June 2024 examination on June 19, a day after the exam was conducted, to uphold the transparency and integrity of the examination process. The decision followed reports of the leak and concerns about the fairness of the examination.
The CBI has registered a case against unidentified individuals involved in compromising the integrity of the UGC-NET exam. The charges were filed under IPC Sections 120B (criminal conspiracy) and 420 (cheating) based on a complaint lodged by the Secretary of the Department of Education, as reported by NDTV.
The CBI will work with the NTA, responsible for administering competitive exams, to further investigate the incident and identify the culprits. The collaboration aims to ensure that such breaches do not recur and to reinforce the security measures around the examination process.
This incident has raised significant concerns about the security of competitive exams in India, prompting the authorities to take stringent measures to prevent future occurrences and ensure the examination system's sanctity.