NEW DELHI: The National Testing Agency (NTA) chief Subodh Kumar Singh was removed from his post on Saturday, amid allegations of irregularities in the conduct of the NEET-UG and UGC-NET exams. Pradeep Singh Kharola was been given additional charge of the post of Director General, National Testing Agency (NTA), Ministry of Education
The central government, which swung into action after the students protested fiercely across the country after the NEET and NET exam papers were leaked, has today taken an important decision in haste and removed the NTA chief from his post. It is believed that this step has been taken in view of the ruckus that is likely to occur in the first session of the 18th Lok Sabha of Parliament starting from June 24..
Ravi Atri, the alleged mastermind behind the NEET-UG 2024 exam paper leak, has been arrested by the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) amid nationwide protests by students seeking a probe into the exam.
Meanwhile, Union education ministry on Saturday (June 22) constituted a high-level committee of experts to ensure fair and transparent conduct of national examinations amid the NEET and UGC-NET row. The development coincides with the arrest of Ravi Atri, the alleged mastermind behind the purported paper leak, by the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF).
“In order to ensure transparent, smooth and fair conduct of examinations through National Testing Agency (NTA), department of higher education, ministry of education constituted a high-level committee of experts to make recommendations on Reform in mechanism of examination process improvement in data security protocols and structure and functioning of NT A” the ministry said.

Ravi Atri, the alleged mastermind behind the NEET-UG 2024 exam paper leak, has been arrested by the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) amid nationwide protests by students seeking a probe into the exam. Atri, from Neemka village in Greater Noida, was implicated in a scheme that has raised questions on the integrity of one of India’s most competitive exams for medical education.
His modus operandi allegedly involved uploading solved question papers on social media platforms through a network known as the ‘solver gang’. Atri’s notoriety stretches back to his arrest in 2012 by the Delhi Police Crime Branch for his alleged role in leaking medical entrance exam papers. In 2007, Atri’s family sent him to Kota to prepare for his medical entrance exam. He cleared the exam in 2012 and got admission in PGI Rohtak, but did not appear for the exam in the fourth year. Authorities said that by then he had come in contact with the ‘exam mafia’ and was sitting as a proxy for other candidates. He also started playing a key role in circulating the leaked papers among students.
The controversy erupted after 67 students achieved a perfect score of 720 in the NEET-UG exam. The NTA attributed this to the awarding of grace marks due to a faulty question and logistical delays in paper distribution at some centres. However, a probe by Bihar police revealed that the exam paper had been leaked to a select few candidates.
The NEET-UG examination, taken by nearly 24 lakh aspiring medical students, was held on May 5, and results were expedited for early release on June 4. Despite the NTA’s attempts to manage the fallout, accusations of a widespread leak persisted, prompting protests and legal actions across the country. The Supreme Court also intervened, chastising the NTA for its handling of the matter.

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