NEET-UG Re-Exam: NTA Shifts Exam Centers With Edu Ministry Oversight

On Sunday, a re-examination of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET-UG) will take place for 1,563 candidates. Officials confirmed this, stating that both the National Testing Agency and the Union Education Ministry will be present at the examination centers. They also highlighted that six new centers have been allocated to students for this re-examination.

Authorities announced that the re-examination will be held for candidates who received grace marks previously because of time lost during their May 5 exam. The delay stemmed from administrative problems such as incorrect question paper distribution and damaged OMR sheets.

The problem was documented at six exam venues in Meghalaya, Haryana, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, and Chandigarh. A senior NTA official said, “While all other examination centers have changed, one center in Chandigarh, where only two candidates will appear, will remain the same.”

Besides, officials from the agency and Union education ministry will also be present at these centers. “The step has been taken to ensure smooth conduct of the re-exam,” the official added.

When asked how many of these 1,563 students have opted for re-exam, the official said, “The admit card has been issued to all. We will see how many of them will turn up on Sunday only.”

The NTA initially allowed candidates with grace marks to either re-test or receive their actual marks without grace marks, a decision contested in the Supreme Court. Subsequently, the NTA revoked the grace marks, giving 1,563 students the option to re-examine on June 23 or keep their original scores without grace marks.

On Thursday, the Education Minister admitted to “limited errors in specific regions” regarding Bihar’s paper leak investigation. They announced the formation of a high-level committee, comprising experts, technocrats, scientists, education administrators, and academics, to review NTA’s operations.

However, on the possibility of scrapping NEET-UG, Pradhan said, “I would like to say humbly that we have to pay attention to the interests of lakhs of brilliant students who have passed that exam after working very hard. …”

On Friday, the Supreme Court declined to conduct NEET-UG counseling, originally set for July 6, and has scheduled a hearing for the petitions on July 8 instead.