The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has uncovered significant findings in the alleged UGC-NET paper leak case, suggesting that the evidence which prompted the exam’s cancellation, was manipulated, The Indian Express reported.
On June 19, the Union Education Ministry abruptly cancelled the UGC-NET exam, a crucial test for entry-level teaching positions and PhD admissions in Indian universities. This decision followed inputs from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) indicating potential compromise in the exam’s integrity.
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The trigger was a screenshot circulating on a Telegram channel, purportedly showing leaked UGC-NET questions before the exam’s first session commenced on June 18.
The Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C) under the MHA detected this activity and promptly informed the University Grants Commission (UGC) on June 19, around 3 pm. Subsequently, the government announced the exam’s cancellation later that night, and on June 23, the CBI took over the investigation at the Education Ministry’s request.
Express further cited government sources who reportedly revealed that the CBI’s probe uncovered that the screenshot in question was doctored to create the false impression that the paper had leaked prior to the exam.
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Allegedly, a candidate shared a photograph of the question paper on Telegram immediately after the first session ended at 2 pm. This photograph was then manipulated to suggest pre-exam availability, facilitating claims of a leak to solicit payments from aspirants.
“This was essentially a scam orchestrated via a Telegram channel, where claims of an imminent leak were made days before the exam. Following the first session, a doctored screenshot of the paper was quickly circulated to lend credibility to these claims, thereby perpetuating potential financial gains,” explained an anonymous government source.
Despite these revelations, it remains uncertain whether the government will reconsider its decision to cancel UGC-NET. The National Testing Agency (NTA), responsible for conducting the exam, has tentatively scheduled a retest window between August 21 and September 4.
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The CBI has not made any arrests in connection with the case but is expected to submit a detailed report soon, based on its analysis of digital evidence and Telegram communications.
UGC-NET typically consists of two papers conducted over a combined duration of three hours, covering objective-type multiple-choice questions in various subjects. While the investigation continues, the implications of the alleged manipulation on future exam protocols and integrity remain subjects of ongoing scrutiny.
