Why is it in the news?
- The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has launched an investigation into alleged irregularities during the recent National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET-UG) for undergraduate medical programs.
- Special CBI teams have been dispatched to Patna and Godhra to probe local police cases related to the NEET exam.
- Further, the CBI FIR mentions isolated incidents in certain states during the NEET-UG exam held on May 5 across 4,750 centres for over 23 lakh candidates.
| About National Eligibility Entrance Test (NEET):
· NEET, formerly the All-India Pre-Medical Test (AIPMT), is the qualifying entrance examination for entry to all undergraduate and postgraduate medical and dental courses in Indian medical and dental colleges. · In 2016, the Supreme Court upheld the newly inserted section 10-D of the Indian Medical Council Act, 1956 which provides for a uniform entrance examination to all medical educational institutions at undergraduate level and postgraduate level in Hindi, English and various other languages. 1. Now, the Indian Medical Council Act, 1956 stands repealed after it has been replaced by the National Medical Commission Act, 2019 that came into existence on 8th August 2019. · It is conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA). 1. NTA was established as a Society registered under the Indian Societies Registration Act, 1860. It is an autonomous and self-sustained testing organisation to conduct entrance examinations for admission/fellowship in higher educational institutions. |
More about the news
- The Ministry of Education requested a comprehensive CBI investigation into suspected irregularities, including conspiracy, cheating, impersonation, breach of trust, and evidence destruction.
- The CBI investigation follows the Education Ministry’s recommendation after the Bihar police identified suspects connected to a NEET-UG paper leak.
- Additionally, a case of alleged cheating at a Godhra NEET exam centre, leading to six arrests, is under scrutiny by the Gujarat police, likely to be taken over by the CBI.
- Further, the CBI registered a case related to the University Grants Commission-National Eligibility Test (UGC NET), also conducted by the NTA, suspecting compromise in its integrity.
- The NEET-UG exam this year faced controversies prompting a re-test for some students due to ranking irregularities, as approved by the Supreme Court.
| About Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI):
· CBI is India’s top investigative agency, tasked with investigating serious cases and leading anti-corruption efforts nationwide. · The CBI is not a statutory body but derives its power to investigate from the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, 1946. o During World War II, the Special Police Establishment (SPE) was formed in 1941 under the British India’s Department of War to investigate corruption in war-related procurements, later becoming the Delhi Special Police Establishment (DSPE) Act, 1946. · The establishment of the CBI was recommended by the Santhanam Committee on Prevention of Corruption (1962–1964). · International Collaboration: The agency also serves as India’s central police organization, facilitating and coordinating investigations on behalf of Interpol Member countries. · Territorial Jurisdiction: The jurisdiction is extended to all the Union Territories and could be extended to the States with the consent of the State Government concerned. · Motto: Industry, Impartiality, and Integrity · Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances, and Pensions |
