The National Testing Agency (NTA) has flagged over 1,500 suspicious claims regarding a potential paper leak in the NEET-UG 2025 medical entrance exam, according to sources cited by PTI. Investigations revealed 106 Telegram and 16 Instagram channels spreading misinformation about the exam. These cases have been reported to the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) under the Ministry of Home Affairs for further action.
The NTA is actively monitoring the situation and has vowed strict measures against those attempting to mislead candidates or disrupt the examination process. Acting on reports received through its recently launched Suspicious Claims Reporting Portal, the agency identified these fraudulent social media channels falsely claiming access to the NEET (UG) 2025 question paper.
The NTA has formally requested Telegram and Instagram to immediately remove these channels and share details of their administrators with law enforcement agencies to facilitate prompt investigation and prosecution. The medical entrance exam was held on May 4, 2025.
In preparation for the exam, the Ministry of Education has been coordinating with district magistrates and police officials across states and Union territories to ensure flawless conduct and prevent any lapses. This comprehensive security plan follows last year’s paper leak controversy, where question papers were stolen from a centre in Jharkhand, solved, and distributed to candidates who paid for them.
To safeguard the exam’s integrity, strict protocols were implemented this year, including police escorts for transporting question papers and OMR sheets, inspections by district magistrates and police at exam centres, and district-level coordination committees headed by magistrates overseeing logistics and security.
These measures align with recommendations from a seven-member committee led by former ISRO Chairman Dr. K. Radhakrishnan, formed in response to last year’s leak. The Ministry of Education has also emphasized strict enforcement of the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act to deter and punish unfair practices.
The NTA’s Suspicious Claims Reporting Portal, launched on April 26, received over 1,500 reports from students, parents, and stakeholders about unauthorized websites, social media accounts, individuals claiming access to exam content, and impersonators of officials. The portal remained open for reporting suspicious claims until 5 pm on exam day, May 4.
This crackdown aims to reassure candidates and uphold confidence in the NEET UG examination process amid rising misinformation and fake leak claims circulating on social media platforms.
