Bihar Police's Economic Offences Unit (EOU) revealed that digital locks on NEET-UG question paper boxes malfunctioned, leading to delays in their distribution during the May 5 exams. This issue, impacting several centres, forced manual opening of the boxes and prompted the NTA to award grace marks to 1,563 candidates. Amid the investigation, concerns over procedural lapses arise as the CBI takes over the probe into the NEET and NET paper leaks. Subodh Kumar Singh's replacement as NTA Director General adds another layer to the unfolding controversy in India's competitive exams.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has taken charge of the NEET paper leak investigation, filing a fresh case against unidentified persons for fraud and criminal conspiracy. The move comes after the government handed over the probe to the CBI following allegations of irregularities, including cheating and impersonation. The case has sparked widespread student protests and a political row, with demands for a re-test for all students. The CBI will also take custody of those arrested by states. The initial exam was held on May 5, with results showing an unusually high cut-off percentage, triggering suspicions of a paper leak.

A 13-year-old boy from Uttarakhand was detained for sending a hoax bomb threat email to Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport, claiming a bomb was on a Dubai-bound flight. The email, received on June 17, led to high alert and emergency protocols. Upon investigation, police traced the email to the boy, who admitted to sending it "just for fun" after hearing about a similar prank by another teenager. The boy, a Class 9 student, used a school-issued mobile phone for the hoax and later deleted the account. He was released to his parents after the incident, police reported.

A small bridge under construction in East Champaran district collapsed on Sunday, marking the third such incident in Bihar in less than a week. Fortunately, no casualties were reported. The 16-meter-long bridge, being built at a cost of ₹1.5 crore, was meant to connect Amwa village to other areas. An inquiry has been ordered, and strict action will be taken against those found guilty. The exact cause of the collapse is unknown, but locals had reportedly objected to certain pillars' construction. Senior officials have reached the site, and a detailed report is awaited. This incident raises concerns about the quality of construction and oversight in the state.

The National Testing Agency (NTA) will reconduct the NEET-UG 2024 exam for 1,563 candidates on June 23 due to reported irregularities at six centres. Affected students, who had received compensatory marks due to time loss during the May 5 exam, will retake the test from 2:00 pm to 5:20 pm. Officials from the NTA and the Union education ministry will oversee the re-exam, ensuring smooth conduct. The previous results of these students, announced on June 4, have been voided. Re-exam results are expected by June 30. Candidates who opt out will have their original scores considered without compensation.

Security forces foiled an infiltration attempt along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir's Uri sector on Saturday. Two terrorists were killed in the Gohallan area of Baramulla district after they opened fire when challenged by Indian Army personnel. The encounter resulted in the recovery of a significant cache of arms and ammunition. This incident follows a similar operation in Sopore last week, where two terrorists were killed, and a police officer was injured. The recent encounter underscores the ongoing efforts of the Indian Army to secure the border region against militant infiltration attempts.

The Indian government has directed the CBI to investigate allegations of irregularities, including paper leaks, in the NEET-UG examination for medical courses. Following reports of malpractice and protests nationwide, the Ministry of Education emphasized transparency and vowed strict action against those involved. The move comes after initial findings of irregularities in Bihar and concerns over question paper integrity. Concurrently, the NEET-PG exam has been postponed as a precaution. The CBI's involvement follows similar investigations into the UGC NET exam, reinforcing the government's commitment to maintaining the integrity of competitive exams amidst growing scrutiny.

Senior AAP leaders, including MPs and MLAs, will meet Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena on Sunday to address Delhi's worsening water crisis. AAP national secretary Pankaj Kumar Gupta, in a letter to the LG, emphasized the urgent need to discuss the issue, attributing the crisis to Haryana's failure to supply the full quota of water. Gupta highlighted that Delhi is receiving 100 MGD less than its share, exacerbating the situation during the ongoing heatwave. He noted that while Himachal Pradesh is willing to help, Haryana's refusal to facilitate the transfer has left over 28 lakh Delhi residents struggling for water.

The NEET-PG entrance examination, initially set for June 23, has been postponed by the Ministry of Health as a precautionary measure. The decision follows recent allegations questioning the integrity of certain competitive exams. The Ministry intends to reassess the robustness of NEET-PG's processes, managed by the National Board of Examinations. The Ministry expressed regret for the inconvenience caused but emphasized the need to ensure a fair examination process. A new date for the exam will be announced shortly, prioritizing the students' best interests and maintaining the exam's sanctity.

During a pre-Budget meeting and the 53rd GST Council session, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced key changes in GST rates. Hostel accommodations outside educational institutions are now GST-exempt up to ₹20,000 per month for stays over 90 days. Railway tickets, battery-operated vehicles, and intra-railway services are also exempted. Additionally, a uniform 12% GST rate will apply to milk cans. The council recommended waiving interest on penalties for tax demands and discussed states' financial support through tax devolution and GST compensation arrears ahead of the Budget.