Karnataka: Medical seats to two students involved in NEET paper leak scam cancelled

Bengaluru: The Karnataka Examination Authority (KEA) has cancelled the medical seats allotted from the management quota to two first-year MBBS students following reports of their involvement in the NEET question paper scandal last year.

In accordance with directions issued by the National Medical Commission (NMC), KEA issued directions to the Kempegowda Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS), Bengaluru, and AJ Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Mangaluru, to cancel the seats allotted to the two students, and to relieve them. KEA had followed all the rules when allotting seats to the students. In fact, KEA had barred some students from participating in the counselling process after it was found that they had indulged in malpractices.

Citing a report submitted by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which probed the NEET paper leak scandal, NMC, in its directive to KEA, intimated the latter of the involvement of two students from the state. “You (KEA) are requested to discharge these candidates or cancel their admissions from your respective colleges,” said the NMC, in its directive to KEA.

KEA Executive Director Prasanna H cautioned students against indulging in any malpractice. “NEET 2025 is scheduled to be held on May 4, and medical seat aspirants must be cautious about whom they seek out. Involvement in any kind of malpractice is a crime, which could potentially cost students their careers,” Prasanna told DH.