Amid the ongoing CBI investigation into last year’s NEET UG paper leak, the government has acted against more than 250 MBBS students and aspirants accused of unfair practices, including using leaked question papers and impersonating other candidates during the exam.
The National Medical Commission (NMC), the top regulatory body for medical education in India, has cancelled the admissions of at least 14 students who enrolled for the 2024-25 academic session. According to Union Health Ministry sources, the candidature of another 215 students who appeared for the NEET UG exam has been put on hold. Additionally, 26 MBBS students already enrolled in medical colleges have been suspended for allegedly assisting aspirants through unfair means. The NMC has directed the respective medical colleges to implement the suspensions without delay.
A total of 42 candidates have been barred from appearing for the NEET UG exam for three years — 2024, 2025, and 2026 — while another nine have been debarred for two years, according to sources.
The NEET UG 2023 results had raised suspicions when 67 students scored a perfect 720 and some even got 719 — a score deemed impossible under the exam’s marking scheme. This led to scrutiny over grace marks given to 1,563 students due to time loss, and to others over a disputed question. These marks were later withdrawn, and affected candidates were offered a re-test.
Soon after, allegations of a question paper leak surfaced. The government, however, stated that the leak was limited to a few centres and ruled out the need for a re-test.