The Supreme Court is set to deliberate on Monday on a series of petitions urging the re-conduct of NEET-UG 2024, citing alleged paper leaks and other irregularities. The hearing, led by Chief Justice of India Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud along with justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, holds immense significance for over 2.3 million candidates gripped by anxiety following the controversial exam.
NEET-UG 2024, conducted on May 5 by the National Testing Agency (NTA) for admissions to MBBS, BDS, and other undergraduate courses nationwide, has been marred by accusations of question paper leaks and discrepancies in scoring. This year’s exam spanned 4,750 centers across 571 cities, including 14 abroad, and raised eyebrows with 67 candidates scoring a perfect 720, some from the same center.
In response to the petitions, the Union government and NTA have staunchly opposed a re-examination. The government filed an affidavit asserting that scrapping the exam and results would disrupt the academic calendar without substantial evidence of widespread malpractice. NTA echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that identified malpractices were isolated and did not compromise the exam’s overall integrity.
The controversy has sparked nationwide protests and political scrutiny, prompting the Supreme Court to take a serious view. Earlier hearings underscored the need to address any lapses in the examination process meticulously, reflecting concerns over even minor negligence.
To address grievances and prevent future issues, the government has initiated a CBI investigation into alleged malpractices, including conspiracy and cheating. Additionally, a high-level committee chaired by Dr. K Radhakrishnan has been tasked with recommending measures for transparent and fair conduct of future exams.
The Supreme Court’s decision will not only determine the fate of NEET-UG 2024 but also establish precedents for handling similar allegations in the future. With significant implications for millions of students, the ruling will scrutinize the arguments presented and the robustness of responses to maintain the credibility of India’s public examination system.
