NEET-UG 2024 paper leak row: NMC orders suspension of 26 MBBS students, cancels admission of 14 for malpractices
The National Medical Commission has ordered the suspension of 26 MBBS students and cancelled the admission of 14 candidates for the upcoming academic year over their alleged involvement in the 2024 National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) paper leak case. The students allegedly resorted to unfair means to clear the medical entrance examination.
The Commission found the candidates complicit in the malpractices related to the 2024 NEET-UG paper leak. The action was taken based on the findings of the Central Bureau of Investigation which is probing the case. "Given the severity of these violations and their potential to undermine the credibility of the medical education system, the National Medical Commission has issued directives to the concerned medical colleges and institutions to immediately suspend the 26 MBBS students found to be complicit," authorities told PTI.
The medical body announced the move as NEET-UG 2025 examinations are set to be held on Sunday. Officials told PTI that they have "zero-tolerance" policy towards academic fraud and said it was committed to taking all measures to uphold integrity, transparency, and accountability in medical admissions.
The NMC has also put on hold the admissions of 215 candidates pending investigation over their alleged involvement in the paper leak row. The medical body has also debarred 42 candidates from appearing in the NEET-UG examination for three years – 2024,2025, 2026, and nine candidates from the 2025 and 2026 examinations.
Controversy erupted over the 2024 NEET-UG examinations after results suggested discrepancies in evaluation. As many as 67 students scored full marks in the national test and many scored 719 marks, which many said was impossible to score given the evaluation criteria for the examinations. Several candidates approached the Supreme Court demanding a re-test. However, the apex court turned down the request observing there was no evidence to suggest the malpractice was widespread.
India