January 30, 2025: In a significant development, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has officially closed its investigation into the alleged paper leak of the UGC-NET exam held in June 2024. The CBI has concluded that there was no organized conspiracy behind the leak, which had initially sparked concerns after it was reportedly circulating on Telegram.

The June 18, 2024, UGC-NET exam had been cancelled the following day after intelligence suggested that the question paper was being sold on the darknet and shared on Telegram. The matter was referred to the CBI, which immediately registered a First Information Report (FIR) and began its investigation.

CBI officials revealed that the suspected "leaked" paper was a doctored screenshot manipulated by a student with the intent of making money. The doctored document was circulated on various Telegram channels, leading to the widespread belief that the paper had been compromised. The student, officials noted, had used an app to alter the image and falsify the date and time stamp, creating the illusion that the paper had been accessed prior to the exam.

One of the CBI officers, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, clarified, “Our investigation revealed that the individual responsible for circulating the doctored paper was simply a student seeking to profit. There was no leak or organized conspiracy, and no candidate had any unfair advantage during the exam.”

Following the conclusion of the investigation, a second CBI official, also requesting anonymity, confirmed that the case had been closed due to the lack of evidence to suggest any breach of exam integrity.

The CBI’s report on the findings has already been submitted to the Union Ministry of Education.

The UGC-NET exam, held twice a year, serves as a critical tool in determining the eligibility of candidates for Junior Research Fellowships (JRF), assistant professor appointments, and PhD admissions in Indian universities. More than 11 lakh candidates had registered for the June 2024 exam.

Forensic experts consulted during the probe confirmed that the screenshot, which initially raised alarms, was indeed doctored and did not constitute a legitimate leak.

The matter has now been resolved, clearing the air about the integrity of the UGC-NET examination process.