UGC-NET Question Papers Leaked on June 16, Papers Sold For Rs 5-6 Lakh: CBI Probe Reveals

New Delhi: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has unearthed a major scandal in the UGC NET examination, revealing that the leaked paper was sold for ₹5-6 lakhs. This startling discovery has prompted an extensive investigation under sections 120B (criminal conspiracy) and 420 (cheating) of the Indian Penal Code.

Sources confirmed that the CBI received crucial information suggesting the UGC NET papers were leaked on June 16. Reports indicated that the leaked paper circulated on the darknet and encrypted social media platforms was being sold at exorbitant prices.

The UGC NET exam was conducted on June 18 in two shifts. The following day, the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre, under the Ministry of Home Affairs, flagged potential irregularities and cancelled the exam. This input led to a more in-depth investigation, revealing the extent of the breach.

The CBI has yet to identify the individuals or groups responsible for the leak. However, they are in close contact with officials from the National Testing Agency (NTA), tasked with conducting the exam and safeguarding the papers. The investigation has zeroed in on NTA personnel and associated institutions.

On June 20, Sanjay Murti, Secretary of the Department of Education, lodged a formal complaint with the CBI. Based on this, the CBI registered an FIR against unknown persons for conspiracy and fraud, leading to a series of interrogations and ongoing investigations.

The UGC NET exam is critical for determining eligibility for assistant professorship and Junior Research Fellowship. The discovery of the paper leak has cast a shadow over the integrity of this essential examination.

The breach, involving the sale of exam papers on secure platforms, underscores severe lapses in security and oversight. As the CBI delves deeper into the case, this scandal highlights the urgent need for stringent measures to ensure the integrity and fairness of national examinations. This incident adds to a growing list of exam irregularities in India, calling for comprehensive reforms in the examination system to prevent future breaches and restore trust among candidates and the public.