New Delhi, July 19: Despite the Supreme Court declaring privacy as a fundamental right of citizens, the personal data of over 2 lakh students who appeared for the National Eligibility and Entrance Test (NEET) 2018 has been breached. The leaked data is being offered for sale on third-party websites, which are charging an amount to the tune of Rs 2 lakh for the entire set.

One of the websites which had put up the data for sale - official-medical-student-data.com - is considered the most credible among digital advertisers whose target audience are the students preparing for entrance examinations.

Since the data includes the scores of the students, it reveals whether they have cleared the examinations or not. The students who failed to clear the NEET are targeted by prep institutes who have begun offering coaching services for students preparing for next year's medical entrance exams.

The data is also being procured by institutes who reach out to unsuccessful NEET aspirants with certificate and degree courses in biology and medicine.

According to a sample of breached data accessed by The Wire, the personal details of the students' leaked and being put on sale include his/her date of birth, mobile number and residential address.

The official-medical-student-data.com, which has been pulled down following the media report, offered a sample data for verification to clients after the latter expresses interest to purchase.

In the sample data, mobile numbers of three randomly selected students are disclosed. The buyer is recommended to dial the students and tactically verify whether his name, city, resident and whether he attempted the NEET exam.

The source of the data leak remains unclear. Since the data is collected by the CBSE, the nodal body in-charge of conducting the NEET examination, it is likely to face allegations.

Universities and prep institutes which prepare the students could also come under radar. Notably, the leaked data pertains to not all the NEET students, but 2.4 lakh among the over 13 lakh who attempted the exams.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 19, 2018 06:10 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).