CBI registers FIR in UGC-NET case after Centre says paper leaked on Darknet
A day after the Union Education Ministry ordered the cancellation of UGC-NET, the CBI registered an FIR in the matter on Thursday. The Centre cancelled the exam saying that its “integrity” was compromised.
The development comes amid a raging row over irregularities in the NEET medical entrance exam. Addressing a press conference on Thursday, Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said the UGC-NET exam paper was leaked on Darknet.
“Soon after it was clear that the UGC-NET question paper on Darknet matches the original question paper of UGC-NET, we decided to cancel the examination,” Pradhan said. “We take responsibility, have to rectify the system,” he further said.
The Darknet is an encrypted portion of the internet that is not visible to the public via a traditional search engine. The UGC-NET exam determines the eligibility of candidates for junior research fellowships, for appointment as assistant professors and admission to PhD in universities and colleges.
The exam was conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) on June 18 this year, with a record 11 lakh students registering for the test. Pradhan said a high-level committee would probe the matter and also look into the functioning of the NTA. The NEET exam was also conducted by the NTA.
“Some irregularities have come to the notice of the government… Students’ interest is our top priority,” the Union Minister said. “The high-level committee will give recommendations to further improve the NTA, its structure, functioning, examination process, transparency and data security protocol,” he further said.
Meanwhile, massive protests broke out across the country after the Centre announced the UGC-NET exam cancellation. Members of different student groups staged a protest outside Lucknow University against the Centre and demanded the resignation of the Education Minister.
The Opposition, including the Congress and TMC, accused the NTA as well as the Centre of destroying the future of students.