NEET fiasco, paper leaks, Kolkata rape case; student movements, exam controversies that rocked 2024

NEW DELHI: And that’s a wrap. But is it? The Kolkata horror accused is yet to be apprehended and punished while there has been no end to the exam paper leaks. The BPSC aspirants are still protesting against the administration. The NEET UG aspirants may have found peace with the revised results and soon-to-be-over medical admissions. 2024 was marred by major exam controversies and students movement which again raises the question, ‘when does it stop?’

Here are the major exam controversies and student protests that rocked 2024.

UPPSC RO, ARO paper leak

The Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission (UPPSC) RO, ARO exam held on February 11 was allegedly leaked, prompting candidates to stage protests and demand a re-exam. The Prelims question paper of the recruitment exam held for 411 posts, was leaked on social media, affecting lakhs of candidates. Following intensified protests and a probe conducted by the internal committee, the UP government cancelled the exam.

CUET 2024 paper leak

Protests erupted at a Common University Entrance Test (CUET UG) 2024 exam centre, after students heard of a possible paper leak. Several candidates created a ruckus and pelted stones leading to heavy police deployment in the area. Students were angry about travelling so far for an exam that had been compromised. The CUET 2024 May 15 shift 2 exam was conducted from 5 pm to 6 pm and was marred by chaos over the leak-induced protests.

NEET UG paper leak 2024

The biggest controversy of the year was recorded in the National Eligibility Entrance Test - Undergraduate (NEET UG) 2024 exam which was conducted on May 5 this year. While the Supreme Court refused to cancel the exam altogether, it did note a breach in the offline test at some examination centres. Following the top court’s decision, the National Testing Agency had to revise the NEET UG results 2024.

Protests rocked the country when students found discrepancies in the medical entrance exam held for over 24 lakh candidates. Aspirants alleged irregularities in the NEET UG 2024 results and questioned the introduction of grace marks. Several political parties and student organisations joined the students’ movements demanding resignation of the Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan and scrapping of NTA.

UGC NET cancellation

Cancellation of the University Grants Commission - National Eligibility Test (UGC NET) added fuel to the fire with candidates raising their voices against the mismanagement of administration and alleged corruption. The Ministry of Education cancelled the UGC NET exam after receiving inputs about a compromise in the integrity of the exam.

ABVP, AISA, JNUSU, SFI, and other student groups led the demonstrations against the education ministry and the exam agency.

Anti-reservation protests in Bangladesh

Bangladesh witnessed violent student protests, ones involving deaths, against the 30% reservation in government jobs for relatives of veterans of Bangladesh's 1971 war. As a result, the Indian high commission advised Indian students in Bangladesh to avoid going out and travelling locally.

Kolkata rape case

Several medical students, doctors, and nursing staff held sit-ins and took out processions against the alleged rape and murder of a female postgraduate trainee at state-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. Even emergency services were shut for a short time at a few places while the majority of the medical fraternity suspended Out-Patient Department (OPD) services.

RGNUL incident

The Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law (RGNUL) saw massive student protests over a visit of the vice-chancellor to the girls' hostel in the premises. Female students alleged a violation of privacy with some claiming that the VC entered unannounced and passed offensive remarks.

The student councils of various law universities including the Dharmashastra National Law University (DNLU), National University of Advanced Legal Studies (NUALS), Maharashtra National Law University (MNLU), and National Law University and Judicial Academy (NLUJA) extended support to the protesting NLU Patiala students.

UPPSC again

UPPSC again faced backlash from aspirants who now demanded the RO, ARO exam in a single-shift and protested against the changes in exam rules. The candidates took out a candle march holding placards reading "One day, one exam". Following large-scale protests by aspirants, the UPPSC rolled-back its decision to conduct the RO, ARO and Provincial Civil Services (PCS) exams in multiple shifts.

BPSC 70th CCE Prelims paper leak

Even as the year is ending today, the protests against alleged paper leak in the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) 70th Combined Competitive Examination (CCE) Prelims exam are underway. Several student groups who organised protests faced police crackdown as the situation worsened. The job aspirants are demanding the cancellation of BPSC 70th CCE Prelims 2024 and have urged the commission to announce a fresh date for the exam.