NTA Flags Over 100 Telegram, 16 Instagram Channels for Spreading Fake NEET-UG 2025 Paper Claims

New Delhi, 1st May 2025: In a major move to curb misinformation ahead of the NEET-UG 2025 medical entrance exam, the National Testing Agency (NTA) has flagged 106 Telegram channels and 16 Instagram handles for spreading false claims related to the exam, including alleged leaks of the question paper. These channels were attempting to mislead students by falsely claiming to have access to the NEET-UG 2025 paper.

The action comes after more than 1,500 complaints were lodged by students and stakeholders on NTA’s Suspicious Claims Reporting Portal. In response, the NTA has requested Telegram and Instagram to immediately remove these fake channels to prevent panic and misinformation among candidates.

To ensure accountability, the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) under the Ministry of Home Affairs has been tasked with further legal action and investigation. NTA has also urged both platforms to share admin and creator details of these groups with law enforcement agencies for swift action.

The NEET-UG 2025 exam is scheduled for May 4, and the Ministry of Education is holding coordination meetings with District Magistrates and Superintendents of Police across states and Union Territories. The aim is to enforce strict preventive measures and ensure the exam is conducted smoothly.

This year’s precautions follow last year’s controversy surrounding NEET-UG 2024, where reports of a paper leak surfaced after the May 5 exam. On the same day, Patna Police arrested four individuals, including a NEET candidate, in connection with the leak. The situation escalated when the NTA released the result ten days ahead of schedule, leading to suspicions due to an unusually high number of perfect scores—67 students secured full 720 marks, including six from the same exam centre in Faridabad, raising serious concerns of malpractice.

Following public outcry, multiple petitions were filed in court demanding cancellation of the result. The Supreme Court later acknowledged that the paper was indeed leaked at select centres, intensifying scrutiny on the NTA’s examination protocols.

As lakhs of students gear up for the upcoming exam, the NTA reiterates its commitment to maintaining transparency, integrity, and fairness in the examination process. Students have been urged to rely only on official sources for updates and avoid engaging with suspicious claims circulating on social media.