NEET PG 2025 data leak row: NBE submits report to Health ministry
New Delhi: Several NEET PG 2025 aspirants alleged that sensitive personal data, including contact details, exam scores, and ranks, is being sold online. On this, NBEMS has submitted its report on the matter to the Health Ministry, and the issue is currently under probe.
According to the candidates, the information, which is accessible only to examinees and the exam authority, has surfaced on websites and messaging platforms, where it is being marketed as "NEET PG 2025 student databases".
They reported that such data also includes their names, details of their parents, phone numbers, email IDs, cities, states, roll numbers, scores, and ranks. In fact, several students have also reported "receiving unsolicited calls and messages from admission agents and private counsellors claiming they could arrange MD or MS seats outside the official counselling system run by the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC)."
Also Read: 'Our data's on sale for Rs 3,599'- NEET PG 2025 students allege massive privacy breach
Amid these allegations and complaints by aspirants, NBEMS has submitted its report on the matter to the Union Health Ministry, and the issue is currently under scrutiny, officials told NDTV.
Medical Dialogues had earlier reported how a simple web search using the terms related to NEET PG and student data showed multiple listings of 'NEET PG 2025 Student Database' packaged as online goods, and the prices for the same ranged between Rs 3,000 to Rs 8,500. In fact, some of the documents were easily accessible with a mere download of the sample data.
One such sample data showed the names of 201 students along with their phone numbers, PG roll numbers, city, state, father's name, and email IDs. The data also included scores and ranks of each of the students. Although this was only a sample, the full document is available for sale at Rs 3,599.
Students Blame NBEMS:
As per NDTV, while some of the students said that they were aware of the alleged breach, other students had expressed their shock to learn that such detailed personal information was publicly available.
Commenting on the matter, one aspirant told NDTV on the condition of anonymity that she had been receiving persistent calls from private colleges and counsellors. She added, "I never authorised anyone to use my personal details. We submit all our information only to the exam conducting body. If my phone number and score are being used to solicit admissions, the source of the leak is obvious."
Meanwhile, another student questioned the role of NBEMS in the data breach and asked, "how could private operators access information submitted solely to National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) during the examination process?"
Another candidate, still awaiting seat allotment, opined that the situation reflected a broader erosion of privacy. She said, "These databases are being sold openly. It feels normalised, just like spam calls from banks. But students are vulnerable, complaining could impact their future, so most stay silent."
Some of the students have also claimed that the data is being circulated widely on Telegram channels and independent websites. One such aspirant reportedly contacted a seller to verify the authenticity of the information. The student added, "They quoted Rs 15,000. I shared my rank only to check if their records were genuine. They had everything, my name, my father's name, phone number, email ID, state, and exact rank. Every detail was accurate."
Amid this situation, the aspirants have placed the responsibility of data breach solely on NBEMS and said that it is the NBE's responsibility to safeguard the candidates' data. The students are also demanding strict action against those responsible for the alleged leak and greater accountability from authorities involved in handling the examination records.
Response from NBEMS:
Under the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, 2023, organisations that collect and process personal information, including government examination bodies, are responsible to ensure that such data is kept secure and used only for its stated purpose.
However, while commenting on the issue of data breach, a senior official at NBEMS said that although the board prepares the candidates' data, it shares it with the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) and state counselling authorities.
The official further mentioned, "We can say the leak did not happen at the NBEMS level, we have safely handed over the data to MCC. Once the data is shared for counselling, it moves across multiple stakeholders. At this stage, it is not possible to conclusively say where the breach happened."
As per the official, the dataset circulating online appears to contain details only of qualified candidates, which, according to NBEMS, points to the possibility that the leak occurred "further down the chain".
"This raises questions because non-qualified candidates' data does not seem to be part of what has surfaced," said the NBEMS official.
Meanwhile, another NBEMS official explained that the examination data is handled through a government-empanelled technology partner, with Tata Consultancy Services managing the online application process. According to the official, a breach at that stage appears unlikely.
In this regard, the official further added, "The data available with the technology partner is primarily for application processing and scorecard publication. That dataset looks very different from what is now being circulated."
NBEMS sources further added that access to candidates' information is tightly restricted and only a limited number of authorised personnel are allowed role-based access, and no provision for data retrieval.
"The data is officially shared only with state counselling authorities," said the official.
Also Read: NEET PG 2025 Data Leak: Students allege data reportedly sold for Rs 3,599
