Notices Issued by the Supreme Court
On Friday, the Supreme Court of India issued notices to the central government and the National Testing Agency (NTA) in response to a plea for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into allegations of a question paper leak and other irregularities in the NEET-UG 2024 examination. The court has also issued notices to private parties concerning a plea from the NTA seeking to transfer cases pending in various high courts to the Supreme Court to prevent a multiplicity of litigation.
Court’s Directions and Timeline
The vacation bench, comprising Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta, noted the NTA counsel’s submission that multiple pleas seeking the cancellation of NEET-UG 2024 due to allegations of question paper leaks and other malpractices are currently pending in several high courts. The court has directed the Centre, NTA, and other parties involved to respond within two weeks.
Transfer of Cases and Withdrawal of Petitions
The NTA has requested the Supreme Court to transfer the cases pending in various high courts to itself to streamline the judicial process. Additionally, the NTA expressed its intention to withdraw three other petitions that sought the transfer of cases from high courts to the Supreme Court. These petitions pertained to the grant of grace marks to 1,563 candidates who experienced a loss of time during the examination held on May 5. According to the NTA’s counsel, this issue has been resolved, and they will inform the high court about their decision to cancel the compensatory marks awarded and the consequential June 13 order from the Supreme Court.
NTA to Conduct Retest
In response to the ongoing controversy surrounding the NEET-UG examination, the Centre and the NTA informed the Supreme Court on Thursday that they have canceled the grace marks given to 1,563 candidates. These candidates will now have the option to either retake the test or forgo the compensatory marks that were awarded due to the loss of time during the original examination.
Examination and Results Overview
The NEET-UG examination was conducted on May 5 across 4,750 centers, with approximately 24 lakh candidates participating. Initially, the results were expected to be declared on June 14 but were announced earlier on June 4, as the evaluation of answer sheets was completed ahead of schedule. The results revealed that an unprecedented number of 67 students scored a perfect 720, raising suspicions of irregularities, particularly with six students from a center in Faridabad, Haryana, achieving perfect scores.
Allegations and Protests
Allegations of question paper leaks and other malpractices have led to widespread protests and legal actions. Scores of students protested in Delhi on June 10, demanding a thorough investigation into the alleged irregularities. The exceptional number of top scores has further fueled suspicions, with claims that grace marks contributed to the high scores among the top-ranked students.
Calls for CBI Probe and Judicial Review
The plea for a CBI probe underscores the severity of the allegations and the need for an impartial investigation to uphold the integrity of the examination process. The Supreme Court’s decision to seek responses from the central government, NTA, and other parties involved reflects the gravity of the situation and the necessity for judicial review to ensure transparency and fairness in the conduct of national-level examinations.
Implications for NEET-UG Aspirants
The ongoing legal and administrative actions have significant implications for NEET-UG aspirants. The possibility of a retest and the cancellation of compensatory marks could impact the admission process for MBBS, BDS, AYUSH, and other related courses in both government and private institutions across the country. The Supreme Court’s intervention aims to address these concerns and provide a resolution that maintains the credibility of the NEET-UG examination.
The Supreme Court’s notices to the Centre and NTA, along with the call for a CBI probe, highlight the critical need for addressing allegations of question paper leaks and irregularities in the NEET-UG 2024 examination. As the judicial process unfolds, the focus remains on ensuring a fair and transparent examination system that upholds the aspirations of millions of students across India.
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