NEET Retest Underway After Massive Leak Scandal

Over 2 million students across India resat the National Eligibility Entrance Test (NEET) after the government scrapped the previous results due to widespread allegations of question paper leaks.

Key Details

• The retest took place on Sunday under heightened security, including the deployment of thousands of personnel and the use of military aircraft to transport exam papers.
• About a dozen people have been arrested in connection with the leak, including a chemistry lecturer identified by the government as the "kingpin."
• The government stated that the lecturer had early access to the test and shared it with students he tutored. The questions were allegedly spread via social media and sold on encrypted apps like Telegram.

Background

The NEET is typically held once a year in May and serves as the gateway to medical schools across India. The cancellation of results followed one of the largest controversies in India's education system, sparking protests and student suicides.

Statements

• Student Namya Modi, who resat the exam, said: "It was hard, but it's over finally."
• Her father, Nilesh Modi, described the situation as "stressful."
• Rajesh Kumar, father of a student who died by suicide after the cancellation, said: "We lost our son due to the failure of the government."
• The Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), an activist group, has called for Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan to be held accountable. The CJP staged a sit-in in New Delhi starting Saturday.

The education department and Mr. Pradhan were contacted for comment but have not responded.