Today(on 12th June), The Delhi High Court refuses to halt medical college admission counseling amid NEET-UG 2024 exam irregularity allegations, ensuring uninterrupted admission for aspiring students. The court grants the National Testing Agency (NTA) extra time to respond and schedules the next hearing for July 5.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!
NEW DELHI: Today(on 12th June), The Delhi High Court declined to impose a stay on the counselling process for admissions to medical colleges despite allegations of paper leaks and irregularities in the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) Undergraduate (UG) examination for 2024. This decision ensures that the admission process for aspiring medical students continues without interruption.
The court also provided the National Testing Agency (NTA) with additional time to submit its response and scheduled the next hearing for July 5.
During the hearing, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the NTA, informed the court-
“The testing agency is filing a transfer petition seeking to transfer all cases related to the matter from different high courts to the Supreme Court.”
He explained that this move aims to consolidate the hearings to avoid confusion and conflicting orders among students.
Justice Neena Bansal Krishna, presiding over a single-judge bench, acknowledged that the NTA would soon file a transfer petition in the Supreme Court to seek the transfer of cases. Consequently, the matter was postponed for a future hearing. The high court’s decision came just a day after the Supreme Court declined to stay the NEET-UG 2024 result-based counselling process for admissions into MBBS, BDS, and other related courses for the successful candidates.
The Supreme Court’s order issued a notice to the National Testing Agency and sought responses from the Centre and the testing body regarding a plea demanding a fresh examination due to the alleged question paper leak and other malpractices. This plea highlights the concerns raised by many candidates and stakeholders about the integrity of the NEET-UG examination process.
The controversy surrounding the NEET-UG 2024 examination has sparked significant debate among students, parents, and educational institutions. Allegations of paper leaks and irregularities have cast a shadow over the fairness of the examination, leading to calls for stringent measures to ensure transparency and accountability.
ALSO READ: [NEET UG 2024 Controversy] NTA Seeks Transfer of All HC Cases to SC: Delhi HC
The NTA, responsible for conducting the NEET-UG examination, has been under scrutiny for its handling of the examination process. The agency’s decision to seek the transfer of all related cases to the Supreme Court indicates its intent to address the issues in a consolidated manner.
“The objective of this action is to centralize the hearings, mitigating confusion and conflicting orders for students.”
-said Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, emphasizing the importance of a unified approach in resolving the disputes.
Justice Neena Bansal Krishna’s observation that the NTA would soon file a transfer petition underscores the urgency and gravity of the situation. The delay in the court proceedings until July 5 allows the NTA additional time to prepare its case and provide a comprehensive response to the allegations.
The Supreme Court’s involvement in the matter further underscores the national significance of the NEET-UG examination and its impact on medical admissions across the country. By seeking responses from the Centre and the NTA, the Supreme Court aims to ensure a thorough investigation into the alleged malpractices and uphold the integrity of the examination process.
The Supreme Court has taken serious note of the allegations surrounding the NEET-UG 2024 examination. A vacation bench comprising Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Ahsanuddin Amanullah emphasized the critical nature of the examination’s integrity.
Justice Vikram Nath remarked-
“The integrity of the exam has been compromised, and answers are necessary.”
The NEET-UG 2024, conducted on May 5, had its results declared on June 4, ten days earlier than the anticipated June 14 release date. This exam, overseen by the National Testing Agency (NTA), is crucial for admissions to MBBS, BDS, AYUSH, and other related courses in both government and private institutions nationwide.
Following the results, a wave of protests erupted across the country. Numerous NEET aspirants raised alarms about alleged paper leaks and other significant irregularities. The students’ grievances extended beyond paper leaks, encompassing concerns over the awarding of grace marks to approximately 1,500 candidates.
A particularly contentious issue has been the re-evaluation of marks for 1,543 students across six centers. This re-evaluation was necessitated due to “lost time during exams,” a problem that has led to an unexpected and controversial result. Remarkably, 67 candidates achieved a perfect score of 720 out of 720. This outcome has sparked widespread concerns, especially since six of these top scorers hail from a single center in Haryana’s Jhajjar.
The Supreme Court’s involvement underscores the gravity of these allegations. The Court’s vacation bench highlighted the necessity for transparency and accountability from the NTA. Justice Vikram Nath’s assertion, “The integrity of the exam has been compromised, and we demand answers.” reflects the judiciary’s stance on maintaining the integrity of national examinations.
The NTA, responsible for conducting NEET-UG, now faces intense scrutiny. The agency’s mandate includes ensuring a fair and transparent examination process. However, the current allegations threaten to undermine public trust in this crucial examination system. The protests by NEET aspirants across various states further amplify the urgency for a thorough investigation.
Students have voiced their frustrations, demanding a comprehensive review of the examination process. Their allegations include not only the paper leaks but also the irregularities in the awarding of grace marks. The claim that 1,543 students received re-evaluated marks due to “lost time during exams” has been a focal point of their protests. This situation led to an unusual scenario where 67 candidates achieved perfect scores, raising eyebrows and prompting calls for an in-depth inquiry.
READ ALSO: NEET-UG 2024 Paper Leak | Medical Aspirants Move Supreme Court Seeking NEET-UG Re-exam
The six candidates from the Jhajjar center in Haryana, who are among the top scorers, have become a particular point of concern. This anomaly has fueled speculation and demands for clarity regarding the examination process at this center. The NTA’s response to these allegations will be crucial in restoring confidence in the NEET-UG examination system.
