The Supreme Court has asked for the National Testing Agency’s feedback on a request for a new administration of the NEET-UG medical entrance exam in 2024, citing concerns about a purported question paper leak and other misconduct.
A vacation bench consisting of Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Ahsanuddin Amanullah declined to halt the counseling process for successful candidates seeking admissions to MBBS, BDS, and related courses. They said the integrity of the exam had been compromised.
“It is not that simple that because you have done it is sacrosanct. Sanctity has been affected, so we need answers,” a vacation bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Ahsanuddin Amanullah told NTA.
Advocate Mathews J Nedumpara, representing the petitioners, requested the bench to halt the counseling process. Despite this, the apex court declined to pause the counseling process and scheduled the case for a hearing on July 8.
“Let the counseling start, we are not stopping the counseling,” the bench remarked.
The Supreme Court was examining requests to nullify the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test – Undergraduate (NEET-UG) 2024 exam due to claims of a leaked paper and various other irregularities reported this year. In addition to the paper leak, NEET-UG applicants have raised concerns about discrepancies in the allocation of compensatory marks to students due to time loss.
Several petitions were filed in the apex court, urging a directive to recall the NEET-UG 2024 results and to conduct a fresh examination. These petitions alleged paper leakage and malpractices in the test that took place on May 5.
The NTA has categorically denied any irregularities or discrepancies in its operations and procedures.
The NEET-UG examination, overseen by the National Testing Agency, stands as the pivotal gateway for aspiring students seeking admission into prestigious courses such as MBBS, BDS, AYUSH, and various related programs offered by esteemed government and private educational institutions throughout the nation.