The Supreme Court will address 38 petitions related to the NEET UG 2024 examination today. This hearing, led by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, comes in response to allegations of irregularities in the medical entrance exam. Petitioners have called for a complete retest, pointing to widespread paper leaks and inconsistencies in the marking system.
One major point of contention is the unprecedented number of perfect scores. A total of 67 students scored a perfect 720, raising suspicions about the integrity of the exam. Allegations have surfaced that these high scores resulted from a paper leak, particularly in specific regions. This controversy has led to delays in the counseling schedules for both NEET-UG and PG courses, further complicating the admission process for thousands of students.
The National Testing Agency (NTA), responsible for conducting NEET, and the Centre have argued against canceling the exam. They claim that such a move would unfairly penalize the majority of students who took the test honestly. The NTA maintains that the exam was conducted fairly and confidentially, dismissing claims of large-scale malpractice as unfounded and misleading. The Centre also supports this position, emphasizing the absence of substantial proof of a breach in the exam’s confidentiality.
In response to the controversy, the NTA has already taken corrective measures by canceling the grace marks awarded to 1,563 candidates, offering them a retest instead. Additionally, the NTA has committed to addressing valid grievances and conducting retests for CUET-UG candidates between July 15 and 19. The Supreme Court’s decision today will be crucial in determining the future of NEET UG 2024 and resolving the concerns of affected students.
