Today, On 2nd August, The Education Minister criticized what he calls “propaganda” following the Supreme Court’s NEET-UG 2024 verdict. He expressed dissatisfaction with the misinformation surrounding the ruling. The minister emphasized the need for accurate information dissemination.
New Delhi: Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan expressed a strong reaction on Friday to the Supreme Court‘s decision regarding the 2024 NEET-UG medical entrance examination.
The Supreme Court explained that it chose not to cancel the exam, despite concerns about a paper leak, because there was no systemic breach of its integrity.
Nonetheless, it advised the National Testing Agency (NTA) to avoid the “flip-flops” that occurred in connection with the NEET-UG exam.
Dharmendra Pradhan stated that the Supreme Court’s observation, which found no systemic breach of the exam’s sanctity and deemed a retest unnecessary, validates the central government’s position.
The Education Ministry wrote on X,
“The government is committed to a tamper-free, transparent, and zero-error examination system,”
“We will promptly implement the recommendations of the high-level committee of experts as soon as they are submitted.”
Pradhan also criticized the Opposition, asserting that the Supreme Court‘s findings and verdict discredit the propaganda they were promoting.
Pradhan wrote on X,
“The findings and verdict outrightly reject the propaganda that was being spread. We wholeheartedly thank the Supreme Court for delivering justice and protecting the interests of lakhs of hardworking students. We will implement the Hon’ble Supreme Court’s judgment in letter and spirit,”
On July 23, the top court dismissed the pleas seeking cancellation and re-test of the controversial exam, stating there was no evidence to conclude a “systemic breach” of its sanctity.
On Friday, a three-judge bench, led by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, provided detailed reasons behind its verdict.
The Supreme Court highlighted deficiencies in the NTA’s structural processes, stating,
“We cannot afford this for the betterment of the students.”
The Supreme Court emphasized that the issues must be addressed by the Centre this year to prevent recurrence.
The bench issued several directives and expanded the mandate of the Centre-appointed committee, led by former ISRO chief K Radhakrishnan, to review the NTA’s functioning and suggest exam reforms.
The court also instructed the committee to consider creating standard operating procedures (SOPs) for technological advancements to identify potential weaknesses in the cybersecurity of the examination system, enhance identity verification processes, and ensure CCTV camera monitoring of exam centers.