Hyderabad: In a startling incident that has added to the ongoing controversy surrounding the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET), Hyderabad police have arrested a student for allegedly attempting to cheat during the NEET re-examination using a concealed smartphone.
The incident took place at the Zilla Parishad High School (ZPHS) examination centre in Ragannaguda on the outskirts of Hyderabad. According to officials, the accused, a student from Achampet in Nagarkurnool district, arrived at the examination centre around 7 AM, several hours before the exam was scheduled to begin at 2 PM.
Investigators said the student allegedly took advantage of the early hours to hide his smartphone in the ventilator of the school washroom when the premises were relatively empty.
After entering the examination hall with other candidates, he is believed to have moved the phone into a zip-lock cover and concealed it inside the flush tank of the toilet. Despite two rounds of inspections by examination staff, the device reportedly went unnoticed.
A short while after the examination commenced, the student sought permission from the invigilator to use the washroom, citing stomach pain. However, when he failed to return for an extended period, the invigilators grew suspicious and went to check on him.
The examination staff allegedly caught the student red-handed while he was attempting to access information on the concealed smartphone. School authorities immediately informed the police and lodged a formal complaint.
Police arrived at the scene and arrested the student. The smartphone used in the alleged cheating attempt was seized, and a case has been registered. Further investigation is underway to determine whether any external assistance or larger cheating network was involved.
The incident has once again raised serious questions about the security arrangements and integrity of the NEET examination process, which has been under intense scrutiny following multiple allegations of malpractice and irregularities across the country.
Authorities have reiterated that strict measures are being implemented to ensure fairness and transparency in one of India’s most competitive entrance examinations.
