The Union Education Ministry is prepared to conduct a new NEET-UG session pending Supreme Court decisions, scheduled for July 8. This follows ongoing scrutiny over the exam’s fairness and transparency.
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NEW DELHI: The Union Education Ministry has expressed its willingness to conduct a fresh round of the National Eligibility-Cum-Entrance Test-Undergraduate (NEET-UG), contingent on the directives from the Supreme Court’s scheduled hearing on July 8. This development comes amidst ongoing debates and controversies surrounding the fairness and transparency of the examination process.
An official source revealed-
“The ministry is prepared to schedule a retest for all 24 lakh NEET-UG candidates upon court approval.”
This statement underscores the ministry’s preparedness to ensure that all candidates are given a fair opportunity, reflecting a commitment to maintaining the integrity of the examination system.
Sources have suggested that one potential approach under consideration is to extend the retest beyond the 1,563 candidates who were initially awarded grace marks. Instead, the retest might be opened to all students who wish to undergo re-examination. This inclusive approach aims to address widespread concerns among students about the fairness of the initial test results.
The National Testing Agency (NTA), responsible for conducting the medical exams, has already informed the Supreme Court that a retest for the over 1,500 students will take place on June 23, with the results expected to be announced by June 30. Despite this, the Supreme Court has not halted the counselling process, which is set to commence from July 6.
When queried about the scope of the potential retest, sources acknowledged-
“This may involve conducting a comprehensive retest for all candidates, as directed by the court, rather than opting for a selective approach.”
This statement indicates the possibility of a complete new examination, reflecting the ministry’s flexibility and readiness to adapt to the Supreme Court’s directives.
Furthermore, sources highlighted the “profound concern” of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan regarding the NEET-UG controversy. Pradhan’s commitment to addressing this issue as a “top priority” signifies the government’s serious stance on resolving the grievances of the NEET-UG aspirants and ensuring a transparent and equitable examination process.
In the wake of severe criticism and controversy surrounding this year’s National Eligibility-Cum-Entrance Test-Undergraduate (NEET-UG), the Union Education Ministry has taken significant steps to address the growing concerns.
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Following the announcement of results on June 4, the National Testing Agency (NTA) has been under intense scrutiny for alleged paper leaks, unusually high scores, discrepancies in grace mark allocation, fraudulent activities, and other irregularities. The situation has escalated to the point where approximately 30 petitions have been filed in the Supreme Court, with numerous pleas submitted to various high courts across the country.
“The minister’s primary goal is to pinpoint the underlying issue and address it promptly.”
– a source revealed, highlighting the urgency and seriousness with which the ministry is tackling the issue.
This year’s exam presented an unprecedented scenario: a record number of candidates achieved the perfect score of 720 out of 720. This phenomenon has dramatically altered the ranking dynamics, significantly intensifying the competition for admission into medical colleges, especially those run by the government.
Since the results were declared, there has been a chorus of demands from students, parents, educators, and medical associations for a retest and a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe. The pressure has mounted on the education authorities to ensure the credibility and fairness of the examination process, which is pivotal for the future of aspiring medical professionals.
In response to the situation, the education ministry has taken a decisive step by cancelling the University Grants Commission-National Eligibility Test (UGC-NET) scheduled for this year. This move comes after receiving inputs suggesting that the integrity of the UGC-NET may have been compromised.
“The matter has been transferred to the CBI for investigation.”
– an official statement confirmed, ensuring a thorough investigation into the alleged malpractices.
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The ministry has assured that the schedule for a fresh round of the UGC-NET exam will be announced at a later date, providing a clear path forward for candidates affected by this decision. This proactive measure aims to restore confidence in the examination system and uphold the standards of academic integrity.