NEET paper leak: Candidature of 215 aspirants put on hold

In the ongoing CBI investigation into the NEET-UG paper leak in 2024 wherein some MBBS students were found to be involved in malpractices, sources said the candidature of 215 candidates who appeared in the medical entrance examination had been put on hold.

The National Medical Commission has issued directives to the medical colleges concerned and institutions to suspend the 26 MBBS students found to be complicit. “Further, the admission for the academic year 2024-25 granted to 14 more students, found involved in unfair practices during NEET, has been cancelled," they added.  In addition, 9 candidates had been debarred for two years, i.e. 2025 and 2026, an official said.

The CBI is investigating into the alleged malpractices during the examination, including solving leaked question papers and impersonating other candidates. Acting strict in unfair means (UFM) cases, the National Testing Agency (NTA) debarred 42 candidates for three years — 2024, 2025 and 2026 — from taking the NEET-UG.

The CBI has also taken the alleged mastermind of the paper leak, Sanjeev Kumar, alias Sanjeev Mukhiya, on a four-day remand for interrogation.

In order to avoid the last year’s fiasco, the NTA is taking a slew of measures for the smooth conduct of NEET-UG on May 4. It has launched a platform to report any suspicious activity related the NEET-UG 2025. The education ministry has also held multiple meetings with the police and district administration of all states to ensure enhanced security measures at the examination centres.

On Thursday, NTA flagged over 1,500 complaints related to a possible paper leak. According to the sources, 106 Telegram and 16 Instagram channels were found spreading misinformation about the exam. These cases have been reported to the Home Ministry’s Cyber Crime Coordination Centre for further investigation.

India