Bihar

• 18 Jun 2024

NEET Leak Controversy

Why in News?

The National Eligibility and Entrance Test (NEET) Undergraduate exam paper leak has escalated, leading to protests demanding a re-test and a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe.

• The Economic Offences Unit (EOU) disclosed that NEET aspirants paid up to ₹30 lakh for leaked exam papers in Bihar.

Key Points

• The Supreme Court is hearing several petitions related to NEET, though it has not stayed counseling for admissions based on the results.
  • This unfolding scandal highlights deep-rooted issues in the examination system and underscores the urgent need for reform and accountability.
• The National Eligibility Entrance Test (NEET), formerly the All-India Pre-Medical Test (AIPMT), is the qualifying test for MBBS and BDS programmes in Indian medical and dental colleges.
• It was introduced in 2013 by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) and is now conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA).
  • NTA was established as a Society registered under the Indian Societies Registration Act, 1860.
  • It is an autonomous and self-sustained testing organisation to conduct entrance examinations for admission/fellowship in higher educational institutions.

Nalanda University

Why in News?

The Prime Minister of India will inaugurate the new campus of Nalanda University at Rajgir, Bihar.

Key Points

• The University is conceived as a joint collaboration between India and East Asia Summit (EAS) countries.
• The Campus is a ‘Net Zero’ Green Campus. It is self-sustainable with a solar plant, domestic and drinking water treatment plant, water recycling plant for reusing wastewater, 100 acres of water bodies, and many other environment friendly facilities.
• The original Nalanda University, established around 1600 years ago, is considered to be amongst the first residential universities of the world.
• The ruins of Nalanda Univesity was declared as a UN Heritage Site.
• East Asia Summit:
  • The EAS was established in 2005 as an Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-led initiative.
  • The EAS is the only leader-led forum in the Indo-Pacific that brings together all key partners to discuss political, security and economic issues of strategic importance.
  • The EAS operates on the principles of openness, inclusiveness, respect for international law, ASEAN centrality, and ASEAN’s role as the driving force.