The National Medical Commission (NMC), the top regulatory body for medical education in India, has cancelled the admissions of at least 14 students who were enrolled for the 2024-25 academic session.
This move comes amid an ongoing CBI investigation into the NEET UG paper leak scandal from the previous year. In connection with the probe, the government has taken action against more than 250 MBBS students and aspirants accused of malpractice, including accessing leaked question papers and impersonating candidates during the exam.
According to sources, the NMC has directed the respective medical colleges to immediately suspend the students involved.
Disciplinary measures have also been imposed on several candidates: 42 have been barred from appearing in the NEET UG exam for three consecutive years—2024, 2025, and 2026—while another nine candidates have been debarred for two years, 2024 and 2025.
Concerns about the integrity of the NEET UG exam first surfaced after the announcement of results last year. A record 67 candidates scored a perfect 720, sparking suspicion. Additionally, some candidates scored 719—an improbable score under the marking scheme, which awards 4 marks for each correct answer and deducts 1 mark for every incorrect one.
This led to scrutiny over the awarding of grace marks. A total of 1,563 students received additional marks after claiming loss of time during the exam. In another instance, grace marks were given for a question where an incorrect answer had been previously listed as correct in older CBSE textbooks. Following a review, these grace marks were revoked, and the affected students were given the option to retake the exam.
Soon after, allegations of a question paper leak surfaced. The government acknowledged the breach but maintained that it was limited to a few examination centers and did not justify a nationwide re-test.