Bhubaneswar, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said the government will take strict action against officials of the National Testing Agency (NTA) if they are found involved in irregularities in the conduct of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET), 2024.
Pradhan made this statement during his visit to Sambalpur in Odisha on Sunday. He said that two types of irregularities have come to light in the conduct of NEET.
He said that as per preliminary information, some students have been given grace marks as they were dissatisfied that they were allotted less time than the stipulated period.
The education minister said the government has rejected grace marks and directed re-examination for 1,563 students as per the Supreme Court order.
"Additional wrongdoings have also come to light at two locations. I assure both students and parents that the government has taken this issue very seriously. We will take this to its logical end," he said.
He said that if any official, including senior NTA officials, is found guilty, they will not be spared and strict action will be taken against them.
The Union Education Minister also advocated reforms in NTA.
He said, "A lot of reforms are required in the functioning of NTA, although it is an autonomous institution. The government is concerned about it. I want to assure that no culprit will be spared, strict action will be taken against them."
The NEET-UG exam, which is the gateway for admission to undergraduate level medical courses in India, was conducted on May 5 at 4,750 centers across 571 cities in India. The results were declared on 4 June.
After the results were declared, parents and teachers started questioning the grace marks given to 1,563 students.
Pradhan made this statement during his visit to Sambalpur in Odisha on Sunday. He said that two types of irregularities have come to light in the conduct of NEET.
He said that as per preliminary information, some students have been given grace marks as they were dissatisfied that they were allotted less time than the stipulated period.
The education minister said the government has rejected grace marks and directed re-examination for 1,563 students as per the Supreme Court order.
"Additional wrongdoings have also come to light at two locations. I assure both students and parents that the government has taken this issue very seriously. We will take this to its logical end," he said.
He said that if any official, including senior NTA officials, is found guilty, they will not be spared and strict action will be taken against them.
The Union Education Minister also advocated reforms in NTA.
He said, "A lot of reforms are required in the functioning of NTA, although it is an autonomous institution. The government is concerned about it. I want to assure that no culprit will be spared, strict action will be taken against them."
The NEET-UG exam, which is the gateway for admission to undergraduate level medical courses in India, was conducted on May 5 at 4,750 centers across 571 cities in India. The results were declared on 4 June.
After the results were declared, parents and teachers started questioning the grace marks given to 1,563 students.
