Introduction

• The Bihar government’s Economic Offences Unit (EOU) submitted a six-page report to the Centre on June 23, 2024, indicating a clear paper leak in the NEET-UG examination. 

• The report details the involvement of an inter-state gang and Bihar’s notorious ‘solvers gang,’ with evidence supporting these claims.

Background

The NEET-UG examination, held on May 5, 2024, saw the arrest of 13 individuals, including four examinees. The probe, led by ADGP N H Khan, was initiated following the discovery of potential irregularities and the involvement of organized gangs.

Key Findings of the EOU Report

Evidence of Paper Leak:

• Seizure of Burnt Question Paper: The report highlights the discovery of burnt remains of a purported question paper photocopy.

• Confessional Statements: Statements from the accused support the existence of a paper leak.

• Interrogation and Examinee Questioning: The interrogation of accused individuals and examinees further corroborates the leak.

Involvement of Inter-State Gang:

• Roots in Jharkhand: The EOU report indicates the gang's operations extend beyond Bihar, with significant activity in Jharkhand.

• Solver Gang Collaboration: The solver gang from Nalanda allegedly procured and solved the leaked question paper with expert help before distributing it to examinees.

Role of Key Accused:

• Sanjeev Mukhiya: Alleged kingpin of the solver gang.

• Nitish Kumar and Amit Anand: Key accused in facilitating the distribution of leaked question papers.

• Sikander P Yadavendu: Danapur Municipal Council junior engineer who connected examinees with facilitators.

Anatomy of the Leak

The Night Before the Exam:

• On May 4, four NEET aspirants allegedly memorized answers from the leaked paper at a Rajbanshi Nagar location.

• Patna police received a tip-off from a Jharkhand-based official about the potential leak but initially struggled to locate the accused.

Day of the Exam:

• The NEET-UG exam was conducted at 27 centers in Bihar on May 5.

• By afternoon, police narrowed down suspects and raided a house in Rajbanshi Nagar, seizing burnt question paper remains.

• Arrests were made, including an examinee and his father at an exam center, and key accused Yadavendu revealed more suspect identities.

Confessional Statements and Judicial Custody:

• On May 5, 13 accused individuals were recorded confessing before sub-inspector Tej Narayan Singh.

• The arrests became public on May 7, and all 13 were sent to judicial custody under charges of criminal breach of trust and criminal conspiracy.

Investigation Details

EOU's Continued Probe:

• On May 11, the Bihar government handed over the probe to the EOU.

• Evidence like burnt question paper and post-dated cheques were crucial in indicating a leak.

• Nitish Kumar’s confession revealed a demand of Rs 30-32 lakh per student, with Yadavendu allegedly asking for Rs 40 lakh from each aspirant.

Show Cause Notices and Further Arrests:

• The EOU issued show cause notices to nine more examinees suspected of being beneficiaries of the leak.

• Two examinees have so far appeared before the unit.

• The EOU is working on reconstructing the full story, with the burnt question paper potentially linked to a Hazaribag exam center.

Impact on NEET-UG and UGC-NET Examinations

• The paper leak scandal has significantly impacted the integrity of NEET-UG and prompted protests from over 9 lakh affected candidates.

• Similar controversies have marred the UGC-NET examination, leading to its cancellation.

Conclusion

• The NEET-UG paper leak scandal highlights the deep-rooted issues of corruption and organized crime in the examination system. 

• The involvement of interstate gangs and the solver gang from Bihar underscores the need for robust security measures in conducting national-level examinations. 

• The EOU's findings emphasize the importance of vigilance and stringent actions against such malpractices to uphold the integrity of educational assessments.

Relevance for Competitive Exams

• Understanding the dynamics of examination scandals like the NEET-UG paper leak is crucial for aspirants preparing for UPSC CSE, UPSC CAPF, Assistant Commandant, and other competitive exams like NDA, CDS, SSB Interview, AFCAT, IAS, and IB ACIO. This knowledge is vital for current affairs preparation, especially for essay writing and interviews. 

• The information aligns with the UPSC CAPF AC syllabus 2024, providing valuable insights into public administration, ethics, and the need for stringent regulatory frameworks in education systems. 

• Awareness of such issues enhances analytical skills and aids in crafting well-rounded responses, making it indispensable for success in these exams.