The Indian government has imposed a security lockdown on the national medical entrance examination after a major leak compromised the integrity of the test, with British universities now scrutinising their admissions of Indian students. The NEET-UG exam, taken by over 2.4 million candidates for undergraduate medical seats, was cancelled in several states following reports of question paper leaks and impersonation.
The Ministry of Home Affairs has deployed cyber forensic teams to investigate the breach, while exam centres have been placed under heightened surveillance. British institutions, including the University of Oxford and Imperial College London, which admit Indian medical graduates for postgraduate training, have announced reviews of their verification processes. The Higher Education Statistics Agency reports that Indian students account for the largest cohort of overseas medical trainees in the UK, with 3,400 enrolments in 2023.
A spokesman for the UK Department for Education confirmed it is in contact with Indian authorities to ensure academic standards are maintained. The scandal threatens to undermine the credibility of Indian medical qualifications abroad, where they are typically accepted after successful completion of the UK’s Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board test. The National Testing Agency, which administers NEET-UG, has faced criticism for prior lapses, including a 2021 data leak.
The current crisis has prompted calls for a centralized digital exam system with biometric verification. Analysts warn that prolonged disruption could deter Indian students from seeking UK placements, impacting both countries’ medical workforce planning.