Page 4 - Neet Ug

The cultural meaning of Neet: Saving faith in India's exam system

For millions, competitive exams represent a status-blind opportunity to move into a higher life orbit. Repairing broken trust needs more than heightened Instagram presence

SC tags plea for CBT-based Neet with pending petitions on exam reforms

Top court says the issue of shifting NEET-UG to a computer-based format requires wider consideration and will hear it with pending petitions next week

Neet paper leak: First hearing adjourned as CBI counsel doesn't show-up

The first hearing in the designated court to deal with the NEET paper leak case was adjourned on Monday after no one appeared on behalf of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Bail pleas of two accused, Dinesh Biwal and Vikas Biwal, were listed for hearing before Special Judge Anu Grover Baliga. "None appears on behalf of the state till 10.45 am to argue on the bail application," the judge said. She noted the submissions of the counsel of the accused that the matter be adjourned to August 3 as he had to argue a matter in the Rohini district courts and that he was unable to wait any longer. Adjourning the matter to August 3, the judge directed the "director of prosecution to depute a public prosecutor in the present court". The special judge took charge of the designated court to deal with criminal cases arising from paper leaks and the use of other unfair means in public examinations on Saturday. Earlier on July 23, the Delhi High Court had issued a notification, saying tha

RS adjourned as Oppn demands HM to address police action in Neet protest

Rajya Sabha proceedings were adjourned on Monday following protests from Opposition parties demanding a statement from Home Minister Amit Shah over alleged police brutality against students protesting the NEET paper leak in the national capital. When the Upper House assembled at 5.15 pm after four successive adjournments since morning, Opposition parties led by the Congress continued their protest demanding a statement from the Home Minister. Parliament Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said the government is ready for discussions on the issue and appealed to the Congress leader to discuss the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026. "Such an important Bill has been brought forward. We appealed to Congress yesterday, we have been appealing to them since this morning, but they are not agreeing," said Rijiju. The government, which has moved the Bill in the Lok Sabha on Monday, has allotted time for discussions. "Here, too, as the Opposition party wanted, th

2024 NTA reforms: Why the Radhakrishnan panel was formed & what it proposed

The Centre formed the Radhakrishnan panel in 2024 to improve exam security. Here's what led to its creation, what it proposed and what has changed since

From Gaokao to SAT: What India can learn from global examination systems

As the Nandan Nilekani-led task force reviews India's examination system, a look at how countries like China, US, Australia, Germany and Brazil balance security, fairness, access to higher education

CRPF to review RAF action during students' protest, says DG Gyanendra

The assessment would review the circumstances under which pellet guns were used and the conditions that led to the action taken against protestors

Nandan Nilekani to S Somanath: Meet the experts on govt's exam reform panel

The Nandan Nilekani-led panel will recommend ways to maximise the use of technology to make examinations more transparent and free from irregularities

Apologise to students, take action against those responsible: Rahul to PM

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday lashed out at the Modi government over allegations that AK-47 rifles were used to target protesting students in Bihar and demanded that action be taken against those who attacked the students. Gandhi also demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi apologise to the students. The central government is "dishonest" and reform is beyond its capability, the leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha charged. "The entire system is downright murderous against students. Reports are coming in that AK-47s have been fired at protesting students in Bihar, and hundreds have been arrested and booked under FIRs," Gandhi said in a post on X in Hindi. "Modi ji, what happened to your promise that no FIRs would be filed against students and that they would be released? Instead, they are being subjected to deadly attacks and brutality," he said. "Pellet guns were used against students in Delhi, and AK-47s in Bihar. Whether it is Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Bihar, or De

Apologise to students, take action against those responsible: Rahul to PM

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday lashed out at the Modi government over allegations that AK-47 rifles were used to target protesting students in Bihar and demanded that action be taken against those who attacked the students. Gandhi also demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi apologise to the students. The central government is "dishonest" and reform is beyond its capability, the leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha charged. "The entire system is downright murderous against students. Reports are coming in that AK-47s have been fired at protesting students in Bihar, and hundreds have been arrested and booked under FIRs," Gandhi said in a post on X in Hindi. "Modi ji, what happened to your promise that no FIRs would be filed against students and that they would be released? Instead, they are being subjected to deadly attacks and brutality," he said. "Pellet guns were used against students in Delhi, and AK-47s in Bihar. Whether it is Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Bihar, or De

Tech intervention crucial for exam reforms: IIT Madras Director V Kamakoti

IIT Madras Director V Kamakoti stated that the task force will focus on making the NTA's examination process more transparent, accountable, and technologically secure

Task force constituted by PM will ensure sanctity of exam system: Amit Shah

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday announced the constitution of a high-powered task force on examination reforms under the leadership of technology expert Nandan Nilekani

Task force constituted by PM will ensure sanctity of exam system: Amit Shah

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday announced the constitution of a high-powered task force on examination reforms under the leadership of technology expert Nandan Nilekani

A fresh slate: Protests must spur urgent education, exam system reboot

Leaks of questions for examinations have been part of India's landscape for long, and the NTA was set up in 2017 to address these issues

Pralhad Joshi takes charge of education ministry after Pradhan's exit

Newly appointed Union education minister Prahlad Joshi has taken charge, officials said on Sunday. Joshi was appointed education minister after Dharmendra Pradhan resigned from the post on Saturday. Joshi has been given additional charge of the education ministry besides his role as the consumer affairs minister. Pradhan resigned from his post on Saturday following the Cockroach Janta Party-led student protests across the country, demanding his ouster over the NEET paper leak controversy. In his resignation letter, Pradhan said it was not a matter of "individual prestige" for him, and that he was disturbed to see the series of events that unfolded over the last 10 days.

WB invokes Goonda Act for 1st time in NEET violence, CM vows strict action

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said the state had, for the first time, invoked its newly enacted anti-goonda law against those accused of orchestrating violence during Friday's NEET protest, warning they would face punishment "their next three generations will remember". Making a statement in the Assembly here on Saturday, Adhikari said around 70 people identified from the Dharmatala rally were "not students" and had no connection with the agitation over the alleged NEET paper leak. Condemning the attacks on journalists during the protest, he said the West Bengal Public Safety and Control of Anti-social Activities Act, 2026 -- popularly known as the Goonda Act -- had been invoked to ensure exemplary punishment for those responsible. "I censure the attack on our journalist friends on behalf of the entire House. An attack on journalists is unacceptable. We will take such action under the Goonda Act that these goons and even their next three generations will remember it. .

Investigation into paper leak cases to be completed within two months: Bill

A bill to amend a two-year-old anti-paper leak law, which proposes to set up fast-track courts in every state for speedy trials of accused, is set for introduction in the Lok Sabha on Monday. According to the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, investigations into paper leak cases are to be completed within two months. The bill circulated to the Lok Sabha members ahead of its introduction says that individuals involved in paper leaks or unfair means in exams will get jail terms for a minimum of 5 years and a maximum of 10 years, and a fine of up to Rs 50 lakh. For organised crimes, the bill proposes a minimum sentence of seven years and a fine of up to Rs 10 crore. All the states and UTs will be directed to set up fast-track courts, which will conduct hearings swiftly and complete the trial within three months of filing of the chargesheet, the bill says. Amid the ongoing students' agitation at the Jantar Mantar and different parts of the country

Pradhan only the second minister to quit Modi government in 12 years

Dharmendra Pradhan's resignation follows mounting pressure over the NEET paper leak, marking only the second ministerial exit during Narendra Modi's 12 years in office

Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigns amid nationwide protests

The minister's resignation comes weeks after protests over the leaking of the question paper for the highly-competitive National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (Neet-UG) for admissions to medical colle

Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigns amid nationwide protests

The minister's resignation comes weeks after protests over the leaking of the question paper for the highly-competitive National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (Neet-UG) for admissions to medical colle