NEET UG 2024 Hearing: Supreme Court Expresses Concerns Over Paper Leak Allegations

Supreme Court’s Firm Stand on Examination Integrity

NEET UG 2024:In a significant development on Monday, the Supreme Court addressed the integrity of the NEET-UG 2024 medical entrance examination amidst alarming allegations of a question paper leak. Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud, heading the bench, emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating that if the question paper was indeed leaked through social media platforms like Telegram or WhatsApp, a re-test might be necessary to uphold the examination’s credibility. Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra also formed part of the bench, with the next hearing scheduled for Thursday.

The Centre and the National Testing Agency (NTA), which oversees the NEET examination, recently asserted to the Supreme Court that cancelling the exam would be “counterproductive” and could “seriously jeopardise” the futures of countless honest candidates, especially without concrete evidence of a widespread breach. However, the court’s insistence on clarity indicates the depth of concern over maintaining the examination’s integrity.

The NEET UG 2024 examination took place on May 5 across numerous centers in India, with results announced on June 4, ten days ahead of the anticipated date. This year’s results have sparked controversy, with the NTA awarding full marks to dozens of students and recognizing 67 toppers, leading to protests and calls for a re-test. Critics have raised concerns over irregularities in the marking system and alleged paper leaks at multiple centers, noting that a disproportionate number of toppers seemed to come from a specific region or exam center.

In response, the Centre and the NTA informed the court on June 13 that they had revoked the grace marks awarded to 1,563 candidates, offering them a choice between a re-test or foregoing the compensatory marks given for time lost.

NEET UG 2024 Hearing Highlights:

• The Supreme Court has directed the NTA to disclose the specifics of the alleged NEET-UG 2024 exam paper leak, including the timeline before the May 5 exam.
• The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is probing the leak, and the court has requested a progress report.
• The NTA must elucidate their process for identifying students who benefited from the leak, detailing the locations and the number of students involved.
• The court is considering the use of data analytics to detect suspicious cases and protect the interests of honest students.
• To avert future leaks, the court has suggested forming a committee of experts to supervise exam security.

The deadline for submitting this information is Wednesday, and all affidavits will be shared with the petitioners. The court has also mandated a prompt submission of the CBI’s report, with Chief Justice Chandrachud emphasizing the need to restore public confidence in the examination system.

Furthermore, the court has sought clarity on the procedures following the conclusion of the exam, particularly regarding the re-test conducted for the 1,563 students and ongoing efforts to identify any additional beneficiaries of the leak. The court highlighted the importance of preserving the sanctity of the NEET exam, suggesting the establishment of a multidisciplinary committee to oversee preventive measures and ensure the examination’s integrity in the future.

The unfolding developments in this case underscore the critical need to address these allegations comprehensively and transparently, as the future of many aspiring medical students hangs in the balance. The Supreme Court’s firm stance on maintaining the examination’s integrity reflects the broader concerns of fairness and justice in the education system.