NEET Exam News Highlights: Centre’s high-level panel on exam reforms to meet on Monday, say Sources

24 Jun 2024 | 01:10:52 AM IST

The Union education ministry’s high-level panel for suggesting exam reforms and reviewing functioning of the National Testing Agency will meet on Monday, sources said. Amid a row over irregularities in competitive exams, the ministry on Saturday notified a seven-member panel headed by former Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) chief K Radhakrishnan to ensure transparent, smooth and fair conduct of examinations through the National Testing Agency (NTA).
“In an expedited action, the panel will have its first meeting tomorrow (Monday). The committee is slated to submit its report within two months. The reforms that recommended will be implemented by the next exam cycle. The panel will also look into the exam calendar and make suggestions,” a source said.

The panel will make recommendations on reforms in the mechanism of the examination process, improvement in data security protocols and the structure and functioning of the NTA.

Former AIIMS-Delhi director Randeep Guleria, University of Hyderabad Vice-Chancellor BJ Rao, professor emeritus in IIT-Madras’ Department of Civil Engineering K Ramamurthy, People Strong co-founder and Karmayogi Bharat board member Pankaj Bansal, IIT-Delhi Dean of Student Affairs Aditya Mittal and Education Ministry Joint Secretary Govind Jaiswal are other members of the panel.

The committee has also been tasked with examining the existing security protocols related to the setting of the papers and other processes for different examinations and making recommendations to enhance the robustness of the system.

The NTA, which is under fire over the lapses in the conduct of National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test Undergraduate (NEET-UG) and the University Grants Commission–National Eligibility Test (UGC-NET), on Sunday conducted a retest for the medical entrance exam for 1,563 candidates earlier awarded grace marks to make up for the loss of time at six centres.

While NEET-UG 2024 is under scanner over several irregularities, including alleged paper leaks, the UGC-NET was cancelled a day after it was conducted as the ministry received input that its integrity had been compromised.

Wrap up: All you need to know

Suraj Revanna brought to Parappana Agrahara Central Prison in Bengaluru

Suraj, brother of former MP Prajwal Revanna who is facing allegations of sexually abusing several women, was arrested in Hassan on Sunday on charges of “unnatural offences” against him. He was booked on Saturday for allegedly sexually abusing a male party worker a few days ago, and has been booked under various sections of the IPC, including “unnatural offences”.

England confirm semifinals berth in T20 World Cup with 10-wicket victory over USA in Super Eights match in Bridgetown

Sreeja Akula claims WTT Contender Singles title

Paris Olympics-bound table tennis player Sreeja Akula beats Yijie Ding of China in final to become first Indian to win a WTT Contender Singles title.

Centre’s high-level panel on exam reforms to meet on Monday, say Sources

The Union education ministry’s high-level panel for suggesting exam reforms and reviewing functioning of the National Testing Agency will meet on Monday, sources said. Amid a row over irregularities in competitive exams, the ministry on Saturday notified a seven-member panel headed by former Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) chief K Radhakrishnan to ensure transparent, smooth and fair conduct of examinations through the National Testing Agency (NTA).

Gunmen fire at Russian synagogue, one police officer killed, interior ministry says

Rajeev Chandrasekhar on NEET issue

BJP leader Rajeev Chandrasekhar said, “…It is disappointing that students have been disadvantaged. But as Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has said the government is committed to making sure that these examinations are done in a secure manner and those who are meritorious are the ones who benefit from these exams, not those who are corrupt and crooked. I think the steps that have been taken by the government of India are good and solid steps that will give a lot of confidence to the students…”

NEET UG 2024

63 candidates were debarred from all over the country over malpractices. Now 17 candidates from Bihar have been debarred for malpractices during the NEET examination. 30 candidates from centres in Godhra have been debarred, said National Testing Agency (NTA).

813 of 1,563 candidates who were awarded grace marks in NEET-UG appeared for retest on Sunday: National Testing Agency

Ukraine missile attack on Crimea kills 2, wounds 22: Moscow-appointed governor

Archery World Cup Stage 3

India’s Dhiraj Bommadevara defeats Mauro Nespoli of Italy 7-3 to win bronze medal in Archery World Cup Stage 3, Antalya, Turkey.

Delhi CM Kejriwal seeks Supreme Court intervention on bail stay

IMA praises government’s quick action on NEET UG exam irregularities

NTA websites fully secure, no hacking or compromise: Officials

NTA website, all its other web portals fully secure; information that they have been compromised or hacked wrong, said Officials.

Two CoBRA personnel killed in Naxalite IED attack in Sukma

Two CoBRA personnel killed after Naxalites blow up truck with IED in Chhattisgrah’s Sukma district, said Police.

NEET Row: CBI registers criminal case, sends teams to Patna and Godhra for ‘top-priority’ probe

CBI has registered a criminal case and initiated an investigation. Special teams have been formed by the CBI to investigate the matter on top priority. Special CBI teams are being sent to Patna and Godhra where local police cases have been registered, CBI stated.

Nirmala Sitharaman on Tamil Nadu hooch tragedy

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said, “More than 200 people are still in hospital in a critical stage. 56 people have died and most of them are from the scheduled caste… I condemn the incident. I am shocked that the Congress has not uttered a word against this. In a state where licensed liquor is available from shops run by the government called ‘TASMAC’. Despite that, in the middle of the city of Kalakurchi chemical-based illicit liquor is served… Where is the Congress party President Mallikarjun Kharge?… Where is Rahul Gandhi?… He contests elections just because he is assured that he will win… When Dalits are dying because of spurious liquor, not a statement comes from Rahul Gandhi… I demand that this whole matter be given to the CBI for investigation…:

Amit Shah reviews flood management in New Delhi

Bihar: 6 accused arrested in connection with UG NEET case being taken from LNJP hospital, Patna after their medical examination

Bihar Police arrested the accused from Jharkhand’s Deoghar on June 21.

J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha attended the passing out parade of Jammu-Kashmir Police’s 16th Basic Recruitment Training Course (BRTC) batch at STC Talwara

Uttarakhand: Rain lashes parts of Dehradun

Rain lashes parts of the national capital; visuals from RK Puram area

Exit polls loss-making venture, will go for listing on stock market once other businesses are successful: Axis My India’s Pradeep Gupta

20 to 22 passengers were injured after a state transport bus rammed into a tree near Sahajpur Phata in Yavat village

2 to 3 passengers received serious injuries and have been rushed to the hospital: Narayan Deshmukh, Police Inspector, Yavat, Police station, Pune Rural Police.

After Atishi sat for protest, Haryana reduced at least 17 MGD (million gallons per day) more water…so now Haryana is giving 117 MGD less water. Haryana has stopped water for 4,85,000* people in the last 3 days…Atishi and I met (Delhi) LG, and he recorded the entire meeting…I’m asking him to make the video recordings public. Whole BJP and LG VK Saxena appointed by them, will be exposed

– Delhi Minister and AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj

CBI registers FIR in connection with alleged irregularities in NEET-UG: Officials

It is the country’s fortune that PM Modi became the Prime Minister for the third time…Jharkhand needs to be free from bad governance…BJP will form its government in Jharkhand. The government in Jharkhand is the most corrupt government in the country. Not a single promise was fulfilled

– Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan

India’s Dhiraj Bommadevara and Bhajan Kaur win recurve mixed team bronze medal at Archery World Cup Stage 3 in Antalya, Turkey

I want to tell this to L-G because he keeps on forgetting that he is not Haryana L-G, but Delhi L-G. Delhi L-G doesn’t care about the plight of people here. It is shameful that Delhi L-G has now become BJP’s spokesperson in Haryana

– AAP leader Gopal Rai

BSP chief Mayawati has announced Akash Anand, as her successor. Akash Anand will take charge of the national coordinator: BSP reader Sarvar Malik

MNM party chief Kamal Haasan meets the Hooch tragedy victims at the Kallakurichi Medical College and Hospital

We cannot predict whether the NTA will conduct exams in a transparent and fair manner in the future or not. Central government is itself corrupt, so all organisations under it are also corrupt

– Doctors’ Association For Social Equality General Secretary Dr G R Ravindranath

Officials say more than 1,000 pilgrims amid scorching heat died during this year’s Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia, reports AP

Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma reached Bijauli village in Bari of Dholpur district to attend the ‘Rajasthan Teachers’ Union National’s State General Assembly Convention

Telangana BJP leaders pay floral tribute and plant samplings on the death anniversary of Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee

Indefinite hunger strike underway by Delhi Water Minister Atishi

She started the indefinite hunger strike on June 21 over the water crisis in the national capital. AAP alleges that Haryana govt is not releasing Delhi’s share of water.

Candidates reach the exam centre in Jhajjar to appear for the RE-NEET UG EXAM 2024

Olympic Medallist wrestler Bajrang Punia suspended by the National Anti-Doping Agency for an anti-doping rule violation

An under-construction bridge collapsed in Bihar’s Motihari earlier today

I appeal with folded hands that there should be a probe into this. All the arrested people are from Bihar’s Nalanda…paper leak happened in Hazaribagh, it is a big question. The Jharkhand govt is indulged in all types of misdeeds…but I don’t want to raise any allegations against anyone. There should be a probe

– On NEET row, Nishikant Dubey

Kallakurichi hooch tragedy

“The terrible tragedy which occurred in Karunapuram, Kallakurichi, is very unfortunate. Is this the kind of Dravidian model of government which the DMK talked about? Till date, 56 people have died due to the sale of spurious liquor,” says BJP National Spokesperson CR Kesavan.

Here’s what meteorologist Divya Surendra said on the weather conditions in Madhya Pradesh

“Thunderstorms activities are going on. Heavy rain and gusty winds are also expected. We will issue a warning for the same.”

A delegation of AAP leaders including party leaders Sanjay Singh, Saurabh Bharadwaj and Dilip Pandey arrives at the residence of Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena to meet him regarding the water crisis in Delhi

This is a failure of the DMK government. DMK functionaries are responsible for these deaths. Due to this incident, three months there would be a complete ban on this spurious liquor but after that, it would be back to older times. CM Stalin is scared to face people, hence he hasn’t met the victims until now. AMMK demands CBI inquiry into this

– On Kallakurichi hooch tragedy, TTV Dhinakaran, AMMK (Amma Makkal Munnettra Kazagam) General Secretary

Karnataka Home Minister Gangadharaiah Parameshwara addresses the media over the arrest of JD(S) MLC Suraj Revanna

JD(S) MLC Suraj Revanna, the brother of former MP Prajwal Revanna who is facing allegations of sexually abusing several women, was arrested on Sunday on charges of “unnatural offenses” against him.

Visuals of JD(S) leader Suraj Revanna being taken to Hassan city Police complex after his medical checkup

Students in Rajkot, Gujarat hold a protest against the re-examination of NEET-UG exam

The case registered against JD(S) MLC and son of HD Revanna, Suraj Revanna in Hassan District Holenarasipura Rural PS u/s 377, 342, 506, 34 IPC is transferred to CID for further investigation with immediate effect. The case file should be handed over to CID for further investigation

Gujarat govt runs a statewide campaign to eradicate Sickle cell disease, around 65,000 people to be examined

The Gujarat government is running a campaign across the state against Sickle cell disease. The campaign began in Mandvi Tehsil of Gujarat and is primarily focused on rural areas. Govt began its campaign on World Sickle Cell Day (June 19) and it will end on July 3rd.

TTV Dhinakaran, AMMK (Amma Makkal Munnettra Kazagam) General Secretary leaves from Kallakurichi Medical College and Hospital after meeting the Hooch tragedy victims

He says, ” Do you think that the CM will resign? He won’t resign till his tenure is over. He has allowed his party people to the extent that people are dying here…CM should take responsibility ( of Hooch tragedy). He should assure the public that such incidents won’t happen again”.

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Amit Shah chaired a high-level meeting in Delhi to review overall preparedness for flood management in the country

PT Usha, president of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), inaugurates the Bharat Centre For Olympic Research and Education in Gandhinagar, Gujarat

This Centre, is set to be the world’s 71st and India’s & South Asia’s premier facility of its kind, has received official recognition from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) with the official endorsement of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA).

Death toll in the Kallakurichi Hooch tragedy rises to 56

Union Minister and BJP national president JP Nadda distributes plant saplings on the death anniversary of Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee, at BJP headquarters

Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and BJP leader, Shivraj Singh Chouhan holds a meeting with BJP workers in Ranchi

Union Minister and BJP national president JP Nadda pays floral tribute to Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee on his death anniversary, at BJP headquarters

NEET and UGC-NET exam row

“BJP government is a transparent and an answerable government. The party has come up with an anti-paper leak law and the NTA director has also been removed from his position. This sets an example for the opposition. I believe that the Education Minister has taken crucial actions and we will see its positive results very soon,” says BJP MP Dinesh Sharma.

Today is the third day of my indefinite hunger strike. I am on strike because there is a huge water crisis in Delhi. Delhi does not have its own water. All the water in Delhi comes from neighbouring states. The total water in Delhi is 1005 MGD. Out of which 613 MGD (million gallons per day) comes from Haryana but in the last 3 weeks, Haryana has reduced it. They are not giving water to Delhi… The Haryana government says that we do not have water but yesterday some people went to Hathni Kund Barrage and showed that there is water in the Hathni Kund Barrage but the gate from which water is released for Delhi has been closed and water is not being released from there

– On her indefinite hunger protest site, Delhi minister Atishi

Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma, who has been appointed as BJP co-incharge for the upcoming Jharkhand Assembly elections, arrives in Ranchi

NEET-UG exam’s paper got leaked, NEET-PG was postponed 12 hours before, NEET-SSC exam date has not been announced yet. This shows how much govt is concerned about the health sector. The Union Health Minister and Union Education Minister must apologise for what they have done…students and doctors have travelled a long way for the exam and come here, they have incurred a lot of expenses. On an average, Rs 10,000 was the expenditure. Govt must reimburse these expenditures

– On the postponement of NEET-PG exam, a candidate for the exam

Police have apprehended three people in the case of rape and murder of a young woman within the limits of Chirala Rural PS: Vakul Jindal, SP Bapatla district

The incident occurred on June 21. The investigation revealed that two intoxicated accused dragged the woman into the bushes near the railway track, raped her and then killed her. The police identified and arrested the accused based on the victim’s parents’ information and other witness testimonies.

JD(S) MLC and son of HD Revanna, Suraj Revanna has been arrested by police: SP Hassan, Mohammad Sujitha

FIR was filed against Suraj Revanna u/s 377, 342, 506 of IPC at Holenarasipura Rural PS yesterday. Complainant Chethan has alleged that Suraj Revanna sexually harassed him on June 16th.

Investigation Officer Dy SP Pramod Kumar reached Holenarasipura Rural police station where JD(S) MLC and son of HD Revanna, Suraj Revanna is present

We pay tribute to Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee on his death anniversary…He sacrificed his life for the unity of India…Under the leadership of PM Modi the nation is progressing towards development. By abrogating article 370, PM Modi fulfilled the resolve of Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee

– Delhi BJP President Virendraa Sachdeva

External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar will pay an official visit to the UAE, today, on 23 June

During the visit, EAM will have a meeting with his UAE counterpart on wide-ranging issues of the partnership. This visit will provide an opportunity to review the entire spectrum of comprehensive strategic partnership between India and UAE and regional and global developments: MEA.

NEET and UGC-NET exam row

“NDA is continuously taking important actions which show its intentions to punish those who are trying to play with the future of the youths,” says RLD leader Malook Nagar.

UP CM Yogi Adityanath pays tribute to Bhartiya Jana Sangh founder Syama Prasad Mookerjee on his martyrdom day

Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Shivraj Singh Chouhan planted a sapling at ICAR, Ranchi

Gopal Baglay, presently High Commissioner of India to Australia, has been concurrently accredited as the next High Commissioner to the Republic of Nauru, with residence in Canberra: MEA

T20 World Cup: Afghanistan shock Australia by 21 runs in Super Eight match of T20 World Cup in Kingstown.

UKMTO receives report of incident west of Yemen’s Hodeidah

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said on Sunday it has received report of an incident 65 nautical miles west of Yemen’s Hodeidah.

Karnataka Police arrest Prajwal Revanna’s brother Suraj in sexual assault case: Reports

ISRO achieved its third and final consecutive success in the Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV) Landing EXperiment (LEX) today. “Pushpak” executed a precise horizontal landing, showcasing advanced autonomous capabilities under challenging conditions. With the objectives of RLV LEX accomplished, ISRO embarks into RLV-ORV, the orbital reusable vehicle: ISRO

NEET-UG retest to be conducted for 1,563 candidates today

“Never in the history of independent India, has a government been so utterly incompetent to even conduct an examination for the students. This is the third examination that is cancelled and fourth examination that is under cloud,” says DMK leader Saravanan Annadurai

Israel: Thousands of people hold anti-govt protests, demand new elections and return of hostages

Tens of thousands of people held anti-government protests in several parts of Israel on Saturday night, calling for new elections and the return of hostages held in Gaza, The Times of Israel reported. On Tel Aviv’s Kaplan Street, David Grossman, one of Israel’s best-known authors, urged the people of Israel to fill the streets with demonstrations and fight for their country in a poem he read to protesters. He read, “There’s someone and something to fight for. For such a gift, from life, we will nevermore receive… Now’s the time to rise, to live. To be a people or not to be. To be people or not to be… All hangs by a thread.”

US: One person killed, seven others injured outside nightclub in Kentucky: Police

One person was killed and seven others were injured in a shooting outside a nightclub in Louisville, Kentucky, on Saturday (local time), CNN reported, citing police. First responders found two people injured with gunshot wounds when they reached the spot outside H20 Lounge at 12:47 am (local time), according to the Louisville Police Metro Department’s statement. Later, one of the victims, a man, was pronounced dead. The police said the second person was taken to hospital with critical, life-threatening injuries. Later, medical staff reported that another six victims, all adults, reached area hospitals for treatment after the shooting.

Uttar Pradesh: CM Yogi directs reduction in stamp duty for rent agreements

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath held an important meeting with the officials of the Stamp and Registration Department on Saturday, providing essential guidelines regarding the Online Registration Rules 2024. He emphasized that an online system for stamps and registration is crucial for ease of living and better record and data management. Preparations should be made regarding this as soon as possible and a draft should be readied and presented.

Case against Prajwal Revanna’s brother Suraj Revanna over alleged sexual assault

A case has been registered against Janata Dal (Secular) MLC and the son of HD Revanna, Suraj Revanna over the alleged sexual assault case. A man filed the case against Suraj Revanna at Holenarasipura police station in Hassan district on Saturday, alleging that he was sexually assaulted by him at his farmhouse on June 16. The complaint was filed by a party worker under sections 377, 342, and 506 of IPC.

Chinese rocket carrying satellite passes over south Taiwan

A Chinese rocket carrying a satellite passed over south Taiwan on Saturday, Taiwan’s Ministry of Defence (MND) said, Central News Agency (CNA) reported. However, Taiwan’s MND noted that the rocket posed no threat to the country. The Chinese rocket was launched from the Xichang Satellite Launch Centre in China’s Sichuan at 3 pm (local time), CNA reported. According to Taiwan’s MND, the rocket had already left Earth’s atmosphere when it passed over Taiwan.

“Govt should give reasons behind the step”: ABVP General Secretary on postponement of NEET-PG exam

Following the postponement of the NEET-PG examination, ABVP General Secretary Yagyawalkya Shukla demanded explanations from both the government and the National Board of Education regarding the sudden postponement of the exam just hours before it was due to be held on June 23 morning. This is the second competitive exam that has been postponed after UGC-NET was cancelled due to the exam paper being leaked on darknet. “If the National Board of Examination or the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare had any kind of suspicion, they should have brought forth everything in front of candidates with full transparency… Student bodies demand the government and the National Board of Education that the students have the right to know the reasons and circumstances behind the step,” Shukla said in a self-made video.

“Dharmendra Pradhan should resign with immediate effect”: Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Anand Dubey on postponement of NEET-PG

Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson Anand Dubey demanded resignation from Union Health Minister Dharmendra Pradhan with immediate effect for the postponement of the NEET-PG examination and said that the government will have to change the entire system and remove the incapable officials. “The NEET PG exam which was to be held on Sunday has been postponed…Nothing will happen by changing only the officers of NTA. The government will have to change the entire system. First of all, Dharmendra Pradhan should resign with immediate effect and this responsibility should be given to a new minister. Otherwise, crores of students will suffer. The anger of those who are coming out on the streets at this time will increase further,” Dubey said. “As the opposition, we can only demand from you that you bring in new people with immediate effect, bring in capable people and remove those who are inactive and indifferent from their posts,” he added.