New Delhi: The National Testing Agency (NTA) has reportedly dismissed 47 officials from service amid the controversy surrounding alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG examination, sources said on Friday. The move is understood to be part of efforts to strengthen accountability and transparency in the examination system.
According to sources, disciplinary proceedings against additional officials are also under consideration as part of a broader overhaul of the agency’s functioning. Following allegations of question paper leaks, the NTA has faced criticism from several quarters, with some groups demanding structural reforms. The Centre, however, has maintained that there is no proposal to abolish the NTA.
Meanwhile, protests over the alleged examination irregularities continued in New Delhi, with several organisations, including the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), holding demonstrations demanding action over the controversy.
In a parallel development, the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved a draft Bill aimed at introducing stricter penalties for question paper leaks and examination-related fraud. The proposed legislation is expected to be introduced in Parliament next week.
According to government sources, the Bill proposes up to 10 years’ imprisonment and a maximum fine of Rs 10 crore for those found guilty of leaking question papers or engaging in serious irregularities in public examinations.
The Centre has said the proposed law is intended to strengthen the integrity of competitive examinations and deter organised examination fraud. An official copy of the draft legislation is yet to be made public.
