NEET-UG row: Supreme Court issues notices to NTA and Centre, halts all cases in High Courts
The Ministry of Education has requested a detailed report on alleged irregularities from Bihar Police. The NTA plans a re-exam on June 23, with results by June 30. The NEET-UG exam is vital for admissions to medical and related courses across India.
The Supreme Court has issued notices to the Centre and the National Testing Agency (NTA) regarding petitions seeking the transfer of NEET-UG 2024 cases from various High Courts to itself. The Court has also stayed proceedings in the High Courts related to these cases. Additionally, the Supreme Court addressed a petition from students who appeared for the NEET-UG exam in Meghalaya, where they allegedly lost 45 minutes. They sought inclusion in the group of 1,563 students granted grace marks and offered a re-exam option on June 23. The Supreme Court has scheduled the hearing for July 8.
Concerns over the integrity of the exam have prompted fresh legal action. On Tuesday, the Supreme Court emphasised the need for strict action against any negligence in conducting the NEET-UG 2024 exam. A vacation bench of Justices Vikram Nath and SVN Bhatti remarked, "If there is 0.001 per cent negligence on the part of anyone, it should be thoroughly dealt with. All these matters ought not to be treated as adversarial litigation."
Government's response
The Ministry of Education has requested a detailed report from the Economic Offences Unit of the Bihar Police regarding alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG 2024 exam held in Patna. The Ministry stated on Wednesday that concerns about the allocation of grace marks have been fully addressed.
Aspirants' concerns
Students have raised issues related to alleged question paper leaks, awarding of compensatory marks, and anomalies in exam questions. The Supreme Court, upon receiving new petitions on May 5, 2024, issued notices to the National Testing Agency (NTA) and demanded a response within two weeks. These petitions, alongside existing ones, will be heard on July 8.
Calls for annulment
Multiple petitions seek to annul the NEET-UG 2024 results and call for a fresh examination due to malpractices during the May 5 exam. The NTA informed the Supreme Court that it would invalidate the scorecards of 1,563 candidates who received "grace marks" due to exam disruptions, allowing them to retake the exam.
Upcoming examination
The NTA announced that the re-examination will be conducted on June 23, with results to be declared by June 30. The Supreme Court has declined to stay the ongoing NEET-UG 2024 counselling process.
Significance of NEET-UG
Conducted by the NTA, the NEET-UG exam is crucial for admissions into MBBS, BDS, AYUSH, and other related courses in both government and private institutions across India.
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