MUMBAI — An ongoing investigation into suspected malpractices during the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test for Undergraduate courses has revealed the existence of an extensive network involving coaching institute proprietors, educational institution heads, and purported facilitators across Maharashtra, according to reports.
The probe, which initially focused on examination irregularities, has since broadened to examine the roles of multiple entities including individuals associated with translation services for the National Testing Agency. Investigators are examining how these actors allegedly collaborated to compromise the integrity of the country's premier medical entrance examination, which determines admission to undergraduate medical and dental programmes nationwide.
The medical entrance examination has faced repeated controversies in recent years, with allegations ranging from paper leaks to manipulation of answer sheets. Maharashtra's coaching industry, particularly concentrated in cities like Pune and Mumbai, has grown into a multi-crore sector as lakhs of aspirants compete annually for limited medical college seats. The current investigation threatens to disrupt this ecosystem, which has become deeply embedded in the state's education landscape.
The NEET-UG examination serves as the sole gateway for approximately 18 lakh candidates seeking admission to roughly 90,000 undergraduate medical seats across India each year, making it one of the most competitive entrance tests in the country.