UGC-NET Paper Leak Allegations: Whistleblower Claims Wide-Ranging Exam Fraud Network
The integrity of high-stakes examinations in India has come under renewed scrutiny following fresh allegations of a paper leak in the University Grants Commission-National Eligibility Test (UGC-NET). A Haryana-based advocate and student leader, Deepak Dhankhar, has accused an organised racket of circulating the Sociology question paper to candidates hours before the exam, claiming the network operates across multiple states.
These allegations surface amid an ongoing political controversy over the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test-Undergraduate (NEET-UG) paper leak, which prompted the government to promise stricter security measures. Dhankhar's claims, if verified, would indicate that the problem may be more widespread than previously thought.
In an interview, Dhankhar said the investigation began almost by accident. One of his associates was approached by individuals purporting to have access to exam papers. Initially, Dhankhar and his team suspected a scam aimed at defrauding students. However, the persistence of the alleged operators led them to pursue the matter further.
The first paper provided to the group turned out to be fake, with not a single question matching the actual exam. This reinforced the initial suspicion of extortion. But the network did not cease contact; instead, it claimed access to genuine papers through a longer chain of contacts and arranged additional preparation sessions for candidates.
The most serious allegation pertains to the UGC-NET Sociology examination held on June 30. According to Dhankhar, during a late-night session, his associate observed a pen drive containing what appeared to be exam material. Seizing a brief opportunity, the associate forwarded the file and deleted all traces of the action. Candidates who sat the exam the next day reportedly told Dhankhar that the questions matched exactly what they had studied the night before. One student allegedly stated, 'These were the exact questions. They matched completely.'
Dhankhar alleges that the operation extends beyond Haryana, with the same individuals claiming active teams in Rajasthan, Delhi, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh. He expressed frustration with the authorities, stating that despite providing contact details to various investigating agencies over the years, no one has approached him to collect evidence. He further alleged that there appears to be pressure to prevent the issue from reaching the public.
The claims have gained national attention after Lok Sabha opposition leader Rahul Gandhi referenced them in a social media post. However, as of now, neither the National Testing Agency (NTA) nor law enforcement agencies have confirmed the allegations, and no official investigation has established that a leak occurred. The paper leak network remains an allegation, not a proven fact.
These developments highlight ongoing concerns about the security of high-stakes examinations in India and the durability of illicit networks. They underscore the need for independent, transparent probes to restore public confidence in the examination system. The government has yet to respond specifically to the latest claims.
