Education Today
NEET PG 2025 Data Leak Scandal: Candidates’ Private Info Sold Online, Officials Respond
Education Today

NEET PG 2025 Data Leak Scandal: Candidates’ Private Info Sold Online, Officials Respond

In a disturbing revelation that has sparked outrage and concern among medical aspirants, the personal data of NEET PG 2025 candidates has allegedly been leaked and is being openly sold online. Students have come forward in large numbers, sharing their experiences of receiving unsolicited calls and messages from admission consultants offering MD or MS seats—for a price. This has raised serious questions about the privacy of candidates and the integrity of the examination and counselling system.

Alarming Reports from Students

Over the past few days, several NEET PG 2025 candidates have reported receiving persistent calls and WhatsApp messages from individuals claiming to be “counsellors” who promise to secure postgraduate medical seats for money. The callers not only possess candidates’ phone numbers but also their complete personal and academic profiles, including names, email addresses, cities, states, fathers’ names, ranks, and scores.

One candidate, speaking anonymously, said:

“I’ve received multiple calls from NEET PG counsellors. How did they get my number? Many websites are now selling our data, which is a clear invasion of privacy. NBE must act immediately to trace and stop this.”

Another student took to Reddit, explaining how they tested the legitimacy of one such seller by pretending to be part of a consultancy firm. They provided their own rank and requested details.

“The data matched perfectly. The seller had all my personal information including my name, father’s name, email ID, and more. This is no longer just speculation; it’s real and happening now.”

Indian Express Investigation Confirms Data Leak

The Indian Express conducted an independent investigation to verify the claims. Using basic web search terms related to NEET PG 2025 and student data, their team was able to find multiple listings selling what was labelled as the “NEET PG 2025 Student Database.” The pricing ranged from ₹3,000 to ₹8,500, with sellers offering sample documents to attract buyers.

One such document reviewed by the publication included information on 201 candidates. It contained sensitive details such as:

  • Full name
  • Father’s name
  • NEET PG roll numbers
  • Phone numbers
  • Email IDs
  • City and state of residence
  • NEET PG 2025 scores and ranks

Shockingly, the full version of this leaked database is being sold for ₹3,599. To verify its authenticity, Indian Express reporters contacted several numbers from the leaked list. The students confirmed that they had indeed appeared for NEET PG 2025 but were unaware that their personal data was circulating online.

Official Response: NBEMS Distances Itself from Leak

When approached for comment, a senior official from the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS) acknowledged the seriousness of the matter but clarified that NBEMS’s role ends after the declaration of NEET PG results.

The official, requesting anonymity, explained that NBEMS securely shares result data with the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) for All India quota counselling, and with respective state counselling authorities for state quota admissions.

“We share the data in password-protected pen drives. The password is sent separately in a sealed envelope to MCC. The data fields in the leak resemble exactly what we send to MCC and state authorities.”

This statement implies that the leak most likely occurred after NBEMS passed on the data—potentially during or after the data reached MCC or state-level counselling bodies.

“NBEMS maintains strict confidentiality and security protocols. The data could have leaked at any level beyond our control,” the official added.

Fallout and Concerns Over Candidate Privacy

The leak of such sensitive data has not only violated the privacy of thousands of medical graduates but also highlighted the vulnerability of India's examination and admission systems. Students, already under tremendous stress due to delays and uncertainty around the NEET PG counselling process, are now facing the additional burden of potential identity misuse and fraudulent offers.

In the absence of any public statement from NBEMS, MCC, or DGHS as of now, candidates and advocacy groups are demanding immediate action and transparency. Many are calling for a formal investigation into how such critical data was leaked and sold online.

Broader Implications: Undermining the Counselling Process

This leak could severely undermine the credibility of the counselling process. With private entities accessing and potentially using this data to solicit illegal admissions or manipulate the process, faith in the centralized system is being eroded.

Moreover, the situation raises key questions:

  • Who had access to the data at each step?
  • Were there any lapses in the way the data was handled by MCC or state authorities?
  • Why is there no accountability or formal response yet?

These are pressing concerns that regulatory bodies must address without delay.

Final Thoughts

The NEET PG 2025 data leak scandal is not just about a breach of privacy—it’s a wake-up call for all stakeholders involved in India’s medical education system. Candidates deserve a fair, transparent, and secure process, free from data exploitation and harassment.

With mounting evidence and student testimonies, it is now incumbent upon authorities like NBEMS, MCC, and DGHS to launch a transparent investigation, ensure accountability, and put safeguards in place to prevent such incidents from recurring.

Until then, the trust of thousands of India’s future doctors hangs in the balance.