Incorrect question papers distributed during NEET UG 2024 exam at Rajasthan center, NTA denied paper leak

Incorrect distribution of question papers at an examination center in Rajasthan led to some candidates leaving the center with the papers during the NEET exam on Sunday, said the National Testing Agency. 

However, the NTA emphasized that the integrity of the examination process was not compromised and later the exam was conducted for 120 affected students at the center, said Sadhna Parashar, Senior Director, NTA in a statement.

The NTA denied any possibility of a paper leak amid several social media posts alleging the question paper was leaked.

According to NTA sources, some candidates were distributed question papers in languages other than their choice of medium which prompted them to walk out of the center.

"During NEET-UG examination, it came to attention that at one exam center, Girls Higher Secondary Model School, Mantown, Sawai Madhopur, there was an incident of incorrect distribution of question papers by the center superintendent. Despite efforts by invigilators to prevent it, some candidates left the exam center with the question papers," Parashar said.

"In order to uphold the principles of fairness and equal opportunity for all candidates, the NTA has taken proactive measures. The examination of approximately 120 affected candidates at the center is being conducted today, ensuring that their academic aspirations are not hindered by this incident," she said.

The agency conducted the country’s biggest medical entrance exam NEET 2024 across the country on Sunday. 

This year, a record 23 lakh candidates registered for the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test - Undergraduate (NEET-UG), of which over 10 lakh were male students, over 13 lakh were girls and 24 students registered under the third gender category.

Uttar Pradesh had registered the highest number of candidates at 3,39,125, while Maharashtra saw total 2,79,904 students appearing for the exam. Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu saw 1,96,139 and 1,55,216 registrations respectively. In Karnataka, a total of 1,54,210 appeared for the exam.

In 2023, a total of 20,87,449 candidates had registered for NEET-UG and the exam was held on May 7. The NTA had recorded 97.7 per cent attendance in the exam.