By D. Maan, Jadetimes News
Dismissal of India's National Testing Agency Chief
The head of India's National Testing Agency (NTA), Subodh Kumar Singh, has been dismissed following accusations of irregularities in recent higher education exams. The government has appointed a committee to recommend reforms in the fiercely competitive examination process.
Controversy Over NEET Exam Results
Calls have arisen to rerun the National Eligibility Cum Entrance Test (NEET), a critical medical entrance exam, after thousands of candidates received unusually high marks, leading to protests over alleged cheating. Millions of students take NEET annually, but only a small percentage score high enough to secure placements. The results announced on 4 June made it difficult for even high scorers to secure placements, bringing the exam under scrutiny for errors in the question paper, unwarranted grace marks, and fraud.
Acknowledgment of Irregularities
Earlier this month, federal Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan acknowledged that “some irregularities” had surfaced. Following intense criticism, NTA chief Subodh Kumar Singh was dismissed on Saturday.
PhD Fellowship Exam Cancelled and Postgraduate Exam Postponed
A qualifying exam for PhD fellowships was cancelled after the question paper was leaked on the dark web. Additionally, the entrance test for post graduate degrees in medicine, scheduled for Sunday, has been postponed.
Protests and Political Pressure
Opposition parties and student groups have been holding protests across the country against these lapses, putting pressure on the recently re elected government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.