Amid the allegations of data leak of candidates who appeared in NEET-UG 2018 conducted by Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), the Board has categorically debunked the claims. CBSE officials said that it appears to be the “handiwork of certain unscrupulous persons with the objective of duping the gullible public”.
It is alleged that the data of around two lakh candidates who had appeared in NEET-UG 2018 conducted by CBSE has been breached and is available for a price.
“The entire data of more than 13,26,725 candidates of NEET-UG was maintained only in encrypted format with strict security measures with National Informatics Centre (NIC). So much so that, even in the printout of the confirmation page downloaded by the candidates, the vital details such as identification documents, mobile and email -id are in the encrypted format,” said CBSE.
CBSE informed that the National Informatics Centre (NIC) hosts several government data in a highly secured environment. Even when CBSE obtains data from NIC for the purpose of allotment of Roll Numbers and results, it does not contain personal details such as mobile numbers, details of identification documents, email IDs, etc.
“The results are declared by CBSE through NIC and do not contain mobile number, email Id and other identification details of the candidates. If any communication is made by CBSE with candidates through SMS or email id, the same is sent with the registration number of the candidates,” stated press release from the board.
CBSE said that after the declaration of the results, the data of all 13,26,725 NEET-UG 2018 candidates was given to Directorate General Health Service, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare for providing the same to the states and other counselling authorities for the purpose of counselling of 85 percent seats under their jurisdiction.
“This data is also shared with the concerned states in a highly secured format and is password protected too. Therefore, there is no question of any breach of data or any misuse of data by CBSE. Rather, CBSE has a fool proof system of conducting such prestigious and high stake examinations such as NEET-UG, and ensures data protection in the interest of examinees and to uphold the sanctity of public examinations. CBSE has requested NIC to take appropriate cognizance of the issue,” stated the release.
National Eligibility Cum Entrance Test (UG), 2018 (NEET-UG-2018) was conducted by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), for admission to MBBS/BDS Courses across the nation in Medical/Dental Colleges run with the approval of Medical Council of India/Dental Council of India.