NEET-UG Paper Leak: CBI Criticises NTA For Withholding Information

The CBI has criticised the National Testing Agency (NTA) for not sharing important information about the NEET-UG paper leak with the Bihar police. This delay has raised suspicions about the involvement of some NTA officials in the leak.

The NTA, an autonomous body responsible for conducting significant exams such as JEE, NEET-UG, UGC-NET, and CMAT, is now under the spotlight. EOU officials have previously alleged that the NTA's reluctance to share necessary details has significantly delayed the investigation. This lack of cooperation has raised questions about the agency's transparency and accountability.

The CBI took over the investigation from the Bihar police on June 23 and is currently examining the role of certain NTA functionaries. As part of the ongoing probe, a CBI team recently conducted searches at a private school in Hazaribagh, Jharkhand. This school is suspected to be the source of the paper leak, based on evidence collected by the EOU team. The school's principal, who was appointed as the city coordinator for the NTA to ensure the smooth conduct of the NEET-UG exam, is under scrutiny.

In Patna, the NTA has no dedicated office for conducting exams. Instead, it has designated several principals from local schools as coordinators. S S Sahay, the principal of Dony Polo Public School, has been assigned as the state coordinator by the NTA. Despite confirming his role, Sahay has declined to share information, citing protocol norms. This has further complicated the investigation and raised concerns about the NTA's internal processes.

The NTA's handling of the situation has been widely criticized, with many calling for greater accountability and transparency from the agency. The ongoing investigation by the CBI aims to uncover the extent of the leak and any potential involvement of NTA officials. As the probe continues, the NTA's role in ensuring the integrity of its examinations remains under intense scrutiny.