UGC-NET cancellation, NEET paper leak: BJP, RSS affiliates raise concerns over NTA's credibility

Only two weeks have passed since the BJP-led NDA government assumed power and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's third stint at office is off to a rocky start due to the controversies surrounding UGC-NET and NEET exams paper leak.

Indian Express newspaper reported that the NEET paper leak and cancellation of UGC-NET exam has led to unease within the BJP and RSS affiliates, including the student wing ABVP.

Many are raising doubts about the credibility of the NTA, which was formed during Modi's second term in office to conduct entrance examination admissions and recruitment for admission or fellowship in higher educational institutions.

Referring to the NEET fiasco, ABVP national general secretary Yagywalkya Shukla told the Express that the credibility of the NTA has taken a massive hit and that there is a perception of mismanagement. He wondered if something wrong happened when the BJP's national leadership had its attention elsewhere, while referring to the Lok Sabha elections.

Similar sentiments echoed within the ruling party, with BJP's Rajya Sabha MP Rakesh Sinha pushing for the penalty against any collusion between paper setters and coaching institutes.

Some educational organisations that are ideologically aligned with the ruling BJP were more forthright with their views. The Shiksha Bachao Andolan, an affiliate of the RSS, demanded cancellation of the NEET-UG 2024, discontinuation of the ongoing counselling process, and a CBI inquiry into the irregularities.

The government, however, has so far not said anything about cancelling the NEET 2024 exam. Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said that a high-level committee would be formed to refine the NTA, so that such mishaps are prevented.

The high-level committee has been tasked to provide recommendations for enhancing the structure, processes, data management, and security protocols of the NTA. The committee will comprise technocrats, scientists, educational administrators, academics, and psychologists.

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