New Delhi, National Testing Agency's "top leadership" is under the scanner for alleged irregularities in NEET and NET competitive exams, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said on Saturday, even as he denied any paper leak in the CSIR-UGC NET, which was postponed a day ago.
The minister said that he is the custodian of the interests of the students and must keep this in mind before taking any step. Amid a furious row over irregularities in the NEET medical entrance test, Pradhan had earlier this week said that he could not jeopardize the careers of thousands of candidates who legitimately cleared the exam.
The June edition of the Joint Council for Scientific and Industrial Research and UGC-NET was postponed on Friday evening. The Joint CSIR-UGC-NET is a test conducted to determine eligibility for Junior Research and Assistant Professorship and admission to PhD courses in science.
"There was no leak in CSIR-UGC NET, it was postponed due to logistical issues. There will also be retest of 1,563 NEET candidates tomorrow. In order for the exam to be conducted smoothly everywhere, the decision has been taken," he said Pradhan to journalists.
Asked about any probe into the role of the NTA, Pradhan said: "I have already said that there has been an institutional failure. I have taken responsibility. The top leadership of the NTA is under various types of questions. But first I have to safeguard the interests of the students. I am custodian of their interests."
Earlier this week, the ministry sought a report from the Economic Crimes Unit of the Bihar Police, which is investigating allegations of paper leakage among NEETs.
"The report has not yet been received... But it is certain that no one involved or responsible for any irregularity will be spared," he said.
Regarding irregularities in Gujarat's Godhra, the minister said that the problem in Godhra was not a leak of documents but an organized fraud and that 30 students had been excluded.
"The Gujarat case is not about a leak... the police took preventive measures, some telephone conversations were intercepted. There were attempts at cheating, 30 students who were found involved were excluded. Apart from 63 students from across the country who were excluded from NEET for using unfair means," he said.
The Center is under fire for alleged irregularities in the competitive NEET and NET exams. While the medical entrance exam question paper was allegedly leaked, a case being investigated by the Bihar Police, UGC-NET was shut down a day after it was conducted following information that the integrity of the exam was compromised. The matter is being investigated by the CBI.
The Education Ministry on Saturday notified a seven-member panel headed by former ISRO chief K Radhakrishnan to ensure transparent, smooth and fair conduct of exams through NTA.
On Friday night, the Center brought in place a strict law that aims to curb malpractices and irregularities in contests and makes provisions for a maximum jail term of 10 years and a fine of up to Rs 1 million for the offenders.
The minister said that he is the custodian of the interests of the students and must keep this in mind before taking any step. Amid a furious row over irregularities in the NEET medical entrance test, Pradhan had earlier this week said that he could not jeopardize the careers of thousands of candidates who legitimately cleared the exam.
The June edition of the Joint Council for Scientific and Industrial Research and UGC-NET was postponed on Friday evening. The Joint CSIR-UGC-NET is a test conducted to determine eligibility for Junior Research and Assistant Professorship and admission to PhD courses in science.
"There was no leak in CSIR-UGC NET, it was postponed due to logistical issues. There will also be retest of 1,563 NEET candidates tomorrow. In order for the exam to be conducted smoothly everywhere, the decision has been taken," he said Pradhan to journalists.
Asked about any probe into the role of the NTA, Pradhan said: "I have already said that there has been an institutional failure. I have taken responsibility. The top leadership of the NTA is under various types of questions. But first I have to safeguard the interests of the students. I am custodian of their interests."
Earlier this week, the ministry sought a report from the Economic Crimes Unit of the Bihar Police, which is investigating allegations of paper leakage among NEETs.
"The report has not yet been received... But it is certain that no one involved or responsible for any irregularity will be spared," he said.
Regarding irregularities in Gujarat's Godhra, the minister said that the problem in Godhra was not a leak of documents but an organized fraud and that 30 students had been excluded.
"The Gujarat case is not about a leak... the police took preventive measures, some telephone conversations were intercepted. There were attempts at cheating, 30 students who were found involved were excluded. Apart from 63 students from across the country who were excluded from NEET for using unfair means," he said.
The Center is under fire for alleged irregularities in the competitive NEET and NET exams. While the medical entrance exam question paper was allegedly leaked, a case being investigated by the Bihar Police, UGC-NET was shut down a day after it was conducted following information that the integrity of the exam was compromised. The matter is being investigated by the CBI.
The Education Ministry on Saturday notified a seven-member panel headed by former ISRO chief K Radhakrishnan to ensure transparent, smooth and fair conduct of exams through NTA.
On Friday night, the Center brought in place a strict law that aims to curb malpractices and irregularities in contests and makes provisions for a maximum jail term of 10 years and a fine of up to Rs 1 million for the offenders.
