NEET UG Scams: Paper Leak, Marks Manipulation & NTA Credibility Crisis

NEET UG Scams: There are big question marks on the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) examination and its integrity. In recent times, the National Testing Agency (NTA) has faced severe criticism regarding its helplessness in conducting the NEET UG exam fairly and transparently. NEET UG 2024-2025 saw multiple counts of scam, from paper leaks to mark manipulation, across India.

NEET UG Scams: A Deepening Crisis in India’s Medical Entrance Examination

The credibility of India’s most competitive medical entrance exam, NEET UG, continues to face serious challenges as new scams and malpractices surface across states in both the 2024 and 2025 examination cycles. Despite repeated government assurances of transparency, incidents ranging from paper leaks, score manipulation, dummy candidates, to fake leak alerts have shocked the medical aspirant community, raising grave concerns over the sanctity of the exam process.

NEET UG 2024 Scam: Paper Leak and Marks Manipulation Shakes the System

The 2024 NEET UG exam witnessed one of the biggest controversies in recent times:

1. Patna-Hazaribagh Paper Leak:

The paper leak allegedly took place a day before the exam in Bihar’s Patna region. Investigations revealed a syndicate charging aspirants ₹30–50 lakh for early access to question papers. Several suspects, including exam centre staff, were arrested.

In Gujarat’s Godhra, officials were caught offering to manipulate OMR sheets for ₹10 lakh per student.

2. Suspicious High Scores and Grace Mark Chaos:

A record 67 students scored perfect 720/720 marks, an unprecedented number compared to previous years. This sparked outrage and doubts about the integrity of the result system.

Additionally, over 1,500 students received “grace marks” due to technical glitches and mismanagement, forcing the NTA to conduct a re-exam for these candidates. Many aspirants argued that this move gave an unfair advantage to a select group.

3. NMC Action:

In the aftermath, the National Medical Commission (NMC) cancelled 14 MBBS admissions, suspended 26 candidates, and barred 42 students from future NEET attempts for varying durations.

NEET-UG 2025: Fresh Scams Surface Despite Promises of Reform

Even before the NEET 2025 results were fully processed, multiple scams came to light:

1. Fake Paper Leak Alerts on Social Media:

Over 120 Telegram, Instagram, and WhatsApp channels claimed to have NEET 2025 question papers for sale. The NTA’s Cyber Security Unit flagged more than 1,500 such false claims, warning students and urging them not to fall prey to fraudsters demanding ₹50,000–₹2 lakh.

Police in Jaipur and other cities issued public advisories and began cracking down on such online fraud.

2. Score Manipulation Rackets Across India:

A nationwide racket offering inflated NEET scores in exchange for ₹20–60 lakh was unearthed in Maharashtra, Bihar, Delhi, and Gujarat. In Rajkot, key brokers were arrested while trying to influence results by tampering with OMR sheets.

3. Dummy Candidate Scandal:

In Jaipur, an impersonation scam was busted where dummy candidates, some of them PG students, were caught writing NEET UG 2025 for paying aspirants.

4. Consultant Arrested in Mumbai:

The CBI arrested a senior doctor and an education consultant in Mumbai for manipulating NEET UG marksheets in return for money. Investigations revealed they promised to alter post-exam answer sheets for a fee.

In Mumbai, Dr. Sandeep Shah and consultant Salim Patel were arrested for manipulating NEET 2025 marks. They were granted bail; investigations continue with key suspects still at large

NEET UG Exam: Distrust Among Aspirants

For the 23 lakh students who appeared in NEET 2025, these scams have reinforced fears that merit alone may no longer guarantee medical college admission. Many aspirants, especially from middle-class backgrounds, expressed despair over the system being hijacked by money and influence.

Also Read: CBI Arrests 2 Accused after NEET 2025 Results by posing as middlemen

As NEET UG remains the gateway to India’s most sought-after MBBS and BDS seats, these revelations have sparked widespread concern among students, parents, and educators, questioning the fairness of the entire medical entrance process.

A parent from Delhi said:

“We put our children’s future in the hands of the system. If the system itself is compromised, what are we supposed to trust?“

Authorities React, But Is It Enough?

• The NTA has promised technological upgrades to make the exam process tamper-proof.
• The NMC has proposed lifetime bans for candidates caught using unfair means.
• Several state cybercrime units are now closely monitoring online platforms offering “NEET solutions”.

However, critics argue that the reforms are too late and too reactive. Activists demand accountability from government bodies overseeing NEET, including transparent public disclosures on investigations and punishment outcomes.

NEET’s Integrity

The repeated exposure of malpractice rings in NEET UG 2024 and 2025 has dented public trust in India’s medical admission process. Unless urgent, systemic reforms are implemented, including foolproof digital security, biometric verification, and coaching industry regulation, the future of deserving medical aspirants remains uncertain.

As lakhs of students wait for their counselling rounds in 2025, the lingering fear remains: Is NEET truly a fair test of merit anymore?