NEET UG 2025: NTA cracks down on over 120 fake accounts ahead of exam, Flags Telegram and Instagram channels for spreading misinformation
Few days ahead of exam, the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test, Undergraduate 2025 (NEET UG), the National Testing Agency (NTA) has flagged over 120 social media accounts for circulating false claims of a question paper leak. The crackdown follows intelligence received through the agency’s newly launched Suspicious Claims Reporting Portal, officials confirmed on Wednesday.
NEET UG 2025 exam is set to be conducted on May 4, 2025, across more than 5,000 exam centres in over 550 cities nationwide. The test determines admissions into undergraduate medical and dental programmes and is expected to see lakhs of aspirants vying for limited seats.
With the exam just days away, the surge in fabricated leaks and impersonation attempts poses a direct threat to exam integrity. The NTA’s crackdown aims to reassure students and reinforce confidence in the system.
Over 120 accounts identified, reported to cyber crime body
Acting swiftly on tip-offs and user reports, the NTA has identified 106 Telegram channels and 16 Instagram accounts allegedly engaged in spreading misleading narratives surrounding the NEET UG 2025 paper. These accounts falsely claimed possession of the question paper and attempted to lure students with fake access offers.
“All such incidents have been escalated to the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) under the Ministry of Home Affairs for further action,” NTA sources told ANI. The agency has also formally requested Telegram and Instagram to remove the flagged accounts and share details of group administrators for legal follow-up.
New portal sees over 1,500 reports since launch
The NTA’s Suspicious Claims Reporting Portal, launched on April 26, has already registered more than 1,500 submissions. A significant majority of complaints involve Telegram-based claims of leaked exam content, the agency noted.
Students, parents, and stakeholders can report the following violations:
- Platforms falsely claiming access to NEET UG 2025 question papers.
- Individuals asserting possession of confidential exam content.
- Impersonators posing as NTA or government officials.
Legal consequences under new anti-cheating law
The NTA has reiterated that any attempt to spread false information or impersonate officials is a serious offence under the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act. The law, enacted to combat cheating and exam fraud, prescribes severe penalties including imprisonment and hefty fines.
NTA urges aspirants to remain vigilant
With fake content circulating on social platforms, the NTA has advised aspirants to rely only on official communication and avoid engagement with suspicious groups or messages. It has also appealed to the public to report any misleading content through the agency’s portal.
