Centre Replaces NTA Chief Subodh Kumar Singh Amid Exams Row, CBI Takes Over NEET-UG 2024 Probe

The Centre on Saturday replaced the director general of National Testing Agency (NTA), Subodh Kumar Singh, amid raging controversies over NEET and UGC-NET examinations, naming 1985-batch Indian Administrative Services (IAS) officer Pradeep Singh Kharola as the new chief.

Pradeep Singh Kharola, who is also the Chairman and Managing Director of India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO), has been assigned additional charge of the testing agency until a regular incumbent is appointed.

“The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved the following: Assignment of additional charge of the post of Director General, National Testing Agency, Ministry of Education to Shri Pradeep Singh Kharola, IAS,” an official press release stated.

The release also mentioned that Subodh Kumar Singh has been placed on “compulsory wait” in the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) until further orders.

“Placing the services of Shri Subodh Kumar Singh, IAS (CG:97), Director General, National Testing Agency, Ministry of Education on compulsory wait in the Department of Personnel & Training,” the release added.

Following the sacking of NTA chief Subodh Kumar Singh, the Ministry of Education announced that after UGC-NET, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) will now investigate allegations of irregularities in the conduct of NEET-UG 2024.

The announcement comes hours after the Centre formed a high-level committee of seven experts, led by former ISRO chief K. Radhakrishnan, to ensure transparent, smooth, and fair conduct of examinations through the National Testing Agency (NTA).

The committee was tasked with making recommendations on reforming the examination mechanism, improving data security protocols, and refining the structure and operations of the NTA

CBI To Investigate NEET-UG 2024

“For transparency on the conduct of the examination process, the Ministry of Education, Government of India after a review has decided to entrust the matter to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for comprehensive investigation,” the statement read.

NEET-PG Postponed

In another significant development, the Union Health Ministry on Saturday announced the postponement of the NEET-PG entrance examination, which is conducted by the National Board of Examination (NBE) for medical students.

The exam, originally scheduled for June 23, has been postponed as a precautionary measure amid recent concerns regarding the integrity of certain competitive exams.

“It has accordingly been decided, as a precautionary measure to postpone the NEET-PG entrance examination, scheduled to be held tomorrow — 23rd June, 2024,” the ministry stated.

The fresh date of this examination will be notified at the earliest, it added.

‘Modi Govt Must Be Held Accountable’: Congress Chief M Kharge

Attacking the BJP-led central government, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge said, “Shuffling the bureaucrats is no solution to the endemic problem in the Education system rotted by the BJP.”

“NTA was projected to be an autonomous body, but in reality was made to serve the devious interests of the BJP/RSS. For students to get Justice, Modi Govt must be held accountable,” Kharge shared.

Rahul Gandhi remarked that, “this is yet another unfortunate example of the deteriorating education system under Narendra Modi’s rule.”

“In BJP rule, students are not forced to ‘study’ to make their career but are forced to ‘fight’ with the government to save their future,” Gandhi said.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Priyanka Chaturvedi commented, “The mood of the nation is not reduced to sacking of a bureaucrat but also the person in government responsible for these appointments.”

“Please don’t let the education minister off the hook!” she emphasised in a post on X.

Meanwhile, BJP IT Cell head Amit Malviya remarked, “CBI investigation ordered in NEET (UG) after certain cases of alleged irregularities / cheating / impersonation / malpractices were reported. This comes soon after Govt sacks NTA Chief. Bihar’s EOU already investigating the paper leak and Tejashwi Yadav’s PS is under scanner.”

(With inputs from PTI)