NEET-UG 2024 exam
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 demanding a thorough investigation into the exam. Atri, from Neemka village in Greater Noida, is at the center of a scheme that has cast serious doubts on the integrity of one of India’s most competitive medical entrance exams.
The controversy ignited after 67 students achieved perfect scores of 720 in the NEET-UG exam. The National Testing Agency (NTA) initially explained this anomaly by attributing it to the awarding of grace marks due to a faulty question and logistical delays in paper distribution at some centers. However, a probe by the Bihar police uncovered evidence that the exam paper had been leaked to select candidates.
The NEET-UG examination, which saw participation from nearly 2.4 million aspiring medical students, was held on May 5, with results released swiftly on June 4. Despite the NTA’s efforts to manage the situation, accusations of a widespread leak continued, sparking protests and legal actions nationwide. The Supreme Court also criticized the NTA for its handling of the matter.
Ravi Atri’s involvement is pivotal in this unfolding scandal. He is notorious for his alleged participation in previous exam paper leaks across various states. His modus operandi reportedly involved distributing solved question papers on social media through a network known as the ‘solver gang’. Atri’s criminal activities date back to 2012 when he was arrested by the Delhi Police Crime Branch for allegedly leaking medical entrance exam papers.
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The Bihar Police, which initially apprehended several individuals connected to the leak, including a student and his accomplices, extended their investigation beyond state borders. During interrogations, connections to Atri emerged, leading to his eventual capture by the UP STF.
Atri’s background reveals a history steeped in academic deceit. In 2007, his family sent him to Kota to prepare for his medical entrance exams. He cleared the exam in 2012 and gained admission to PGI Rohtak but did not appear for the final exams in his fourth year. By that time, he had allegedly come into contact with the ‘exam mafia’ and began sitting as a proxy for other candidates. He also played a significant role in circulating leaked exam papers among students.
This scandal has underscored the need for stringent measures to ensure the integrity of competitive exams in India, as well as the importance of robust mechanisms to prevent and address such breaches.
