NEET Paper Leak Scam: A Symptom of Social and Moral Decline Beyond the Education System

NEET Paper Leak Scam: A Symptom of Social and Moral Decline Beyond the Education System

 The recent NEET paper leak case (NEET – National Eligibility cum Entrance Test), at first glance, may appear to be just an educational scam. But in reality, it is not something so superficial; rather, it is a serious symbol of the mental, social, and moral decline within Indian society. I feel that the following factors are largely responsible for such incidents happening.

Deadly Competition:
Competition at the national level has become so intense and life-consuming that students, and especially parents, are now ready to cross any limit by putting aside justice, honesty, and morality in the name of securing a “bright future” for their children.
(Basis - In this scam, not only students but parents were also found to be involved.)

Hunger for Social Status:
Statements like “My son/daughter has cleared NEET, now they will become a doctor, engineer, or get into IIT” have become symbols of pride in society. In order to gain respect among relatives, maintain social status, and feel superior in society, many people are now willing to compromise even with morality.
(Basis -In this scam, both students and parents were found to be involved.)

Attachment, Materialism, and the Attraction of Money:
Society has become so deeply driven by material desires and expectations that whether rich or poor, people are finding it difficult to control their wants. To fulfill those desires, money becomes necessary; but when honestly earned money feels insufficient, many people start choosing wrong paths in their own ways. Incidents like the NEET paper leak become one such means of earning more money.
(Basis – In this unethical act, people beyond caste, religion, gender, or social background, including some professors and elements within the system, also appear to be involved.)

Ego and the Culture of Comparison:
Human ego has grown to such an extent that staying ahead of others has become a necessity. Falling behind, facing comparison, insult, inferiority, or differences in social respect has become unbearable for many people. As a result, the mentality of “winning by any means” is continuously increasing.
(Basis – In this unethical act, people from all sections of society - rich, poor, ordinary, and influential - appear to be involved.)

The Mentality that Money is the Answer to Everything:
Today, society repeatedly gives the impression that many things cannot be controlled through love, understanding, education, philosophy, or even power; they can only be controlled through money. People are slowly beginning to believe that real happiness and success lie in this ability itself. Because of this, the dangerous mindset that “money is the ultimate answer to every problem” is becoming stronger day by day.
(Basis -In this unethical act, both those selling the paper and those buying it seem to be ultimately driven by money and personal benefit.)

Loss of Trust in the System:
People’s trust in the system is slowly collapsing. The feeling that “nobody is honest anymore, everyone only looks after their own interests, so now I must save myself somehow” is becoming stronger. And in order to protect themselves or achieve success, people are becoming ready to go to any extreme.
(Basis -The weakening trust in the justice system and institutions also appears to encourage such acts.)

Note : Most people (close to everyone) who read about the NEET paper scam and preach morality, criticize the accused, look down upon them, or express outrage are not very different from the accused themselves; the only difference is that they did not get the same opportunity.