The NEET 2025 exam, conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA), has been marred by a series of unprecedented events, ranging from record-breaking performances to a massive paper leak scandal. Here’s an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at the drama that unfolded.
🏆 Record-Breaking Performances
- Mahesh Kumar from Rajasthan clinched the top spot with a 99.99 percentile, scoring a near-perfect 686 out of 720.
- Utkarsh Awadhiya from Madhya Pradesh secured the second position.
- Avika Aggarwal from Delhi (NCT) emerged as the highest-ranking female candidate.
In total, 12,36,531 out of 22,09,318 candidates qualified, setting a new benchmark for the exam.
🕵️♂️ The Paper Leak Scandal
The exam’s integrity was compromised when a half-burnt NEET question paper was discovered in a hostel in Patna. This led investigators to the Oasis School in Hazaribagh, where the leak originated. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) uncovered a sophisticated operation involving:theprint.in+5indiatoday.in+5economictimes.indiatimes.com+5indiatoday.in+3indiatoday.in+3economictimes.indiatimes.com+3
- Theft of question papers from NTA’s secure trunks.
- Solvers memorizing answers in a Patna-based play school.
- Distribution of answers to paying candidates across multiple states.
So far, 40 individuals have been arrested, including MBBS students and NIT graduates. The CBI has filed multiple charge sheets, detailing the roles of each accused. indiatoday.in+5thehindu.com+5economictimes.indiatimes.com+5timesofindia.indiatimes.com+4theprint.in+4thehindu.com+4
🚫 Crackdown on Misinformation
In a bid to maintain the exam’s credibility, the NTA took swift action against fake news:
- Over 120 Telegram and Instagram accounts spreading false claims about the paper leak were removed.
- A dedicated Suspicious Claims Reporting Portal was launched to combat misinformation.hindustantimes.com
⚖️ Legal and Administrative Actions
- Supreme Court Ruling: The court dismissed petitions seeking a re-test, stating there was no evidence of a systemic breach.
- NMC Actions: Over 250 students were penalized for unfair practices, with 14 admissions canceled for the 2024-25 session.
- Government Reforms: The Ministry of Education constituted a high-level committee to recommend reforms in the examination process. indiatoday.inthehansindia.com
🔍 What’s Next?
The NTA has implemented stringent measures to prevent future leaks, including:
- Secure test centers with AI surveillance.
- Increased involvement of state governments in exam monitoring.
- Activation of district-level committees for enhanced security.
Despite these efforts, the debate continues on whether NEET should transition to an online format to further reduce the risk of malpractice.