NEET UG 2024 result controversy: CBI starts preliminary investigation; investigation as per demand of National Medical Commission

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The CBI has started a preliminary investigation into the alligation of question paper leak in the NEET UG marks controversy of the national medical entrance exam. A case may be filed and the examination may have to be cancelled if any irregularity is found. The investigation is as per the demand of the National Medical Commission after there was a lot of criticism, including the fact that 67 people got full marks (720). The commission is also conducting an investigating. This is the first time in history that so many people have got the first rank with full marks.

Four from Kerala, eight from Tamil Nadu and 10 who studied at a coaching center in Kota, Rajasthan have got first rank. Six of them are from Haryana and appeared for the exam in the same center in the same hall with adjacent seat numbers. Two people in 2020, three in 2021 and two in 2023 had got first rank with 715 marks. This time there are about 300 people with more than 700 marks in Kerala. Two thousand people with marks between 675-700 and three thousand with more than 650 marks.

The Commission has received many complaints that the presence of more rank holders was unnatural and there was irregularity in the examination. These will be handed over to the CBI. Although the examination is conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA), the results have been published with the permission of the Medical Commission.

What CBI is investigating

1. Academic standard so far of those who got first rank
2. Was the question paper leaked somewhere?
3. Did the marks increase for people in a specific area only
4. Is it unusual of people who studied in a specific coaching center getting high ranks?
5. Is there any abnormality in the simplification of the question paper?

MBBS admission will be tough

Admission to Govt Medical Colleges will not be possible with the marks as last year. Those with less than 685 marks have less chance of admission in state merit. Last year 865 rank holders got admission with 640 marks

It will also be reflected in the reserved category. Last year 1822 rank holders with marks upto 612 got admission in Ezhava reservation. Now even those with higher marks may have a chance only in self-financed colleges.

"The preliminary conclusion is that the question was easy and the complaints are baseless. All aspects will be examined in the investigation'

-Dr.Mohanan Kunnummal,

Member of Medical Commission