Supreme Court Issues Notice Over NEET-UG 2024 Results Amid Allegations of Paper Leak

Supreme Court Issues Notice Over NEET-UG 2024 Results Amid Allegations of Paper Leak

The Supreme Court has issued a notice to the central government and the National Testing Agency (NTA) regarding a petition that calls for the cancellation of the NEET-UG 2024 results. This petition arises from allegations that the exam paper was leaked, casting doubts on the integrity of this highly competitive entrance test for undergraduate medical courses.

Court’s Statement on Examination Integrity

The Supreme Court emphasized that just because the exam was conducted, it doesn’t mean its results are unquestionable. The court pointed out that the “sanctity of the examination” had been compromised and demanded answers from the NTA. Despite these concerns, the court has allowed the ongoing counseling for admissions to continue. Justices Vikram Nath and Ahsanuddin Amanullah stated, “We are not stopping counseling.” The next hearing is scheduled for July 8, alongside a plea filed before Chief Justice DY Chandrachud.

Petition Details

The petition, filed by students from Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, highlights discrepancies in scores and claims of preferential treatment. The petitioners are demanding the cancellation of the results from the May 5 exam and a re-examination. They argue that grace marks were awarded without any clear logic, and point out the statistically improbable marks, including 67 students from one coaching center scoring a perfect 720 out of 720.

Concerns About Grace Marks and Answer Key

The petitioners contend that the NTA did not disclose any criteria for the grace marks awarded and that this lack of transparency undermines trust in the examination process. They also noted that over 13,000 students contested the provisional answer key released by the NTA, which indicates potential issues with the exam’s administration.

Risks of Cheating in Medical Exams

The petition underscores the severe implications of cheating in medical entrance exams. It stresses that a lack of competence due to cheating could endanger patients’ lives and that such fraudulent practices undermine meritocracy and equal opportunities. The petitioners argue that this perpetuates social inequalities, favoring those who can afford leaked papers over those who rely on their hard work.

Read More| NEET-UG 2024 Results Controversy

Ongoing Grievance Analysis

Previously, on May 17, the Supreme Court issued a notice regarding a similar plea but did not halt the declaration of results. Meanwhile, the NTA has announced the formation of a high-powered committee to review the grievances of 1,600 students who took the NEET 2024 exam.

This ongoing situation highlights the critical need for maintaining the integrity and fairness of competitive exams, especially those leading to crucial professions like medicine.