Today(on 18th July),The Supreme Court of India has ordered the NTA to release NEET-UG 2024 results city-wise and centre-wise on their website by noon Saturday, ensuring transparency while protecting candidate identities. Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud and Justices J.B. Pardiwala and Manoj Misra recently resumed hearings on the issue, focusing on the severity of the question paper leak.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!![[Breaking] NEET-UG 2024 | CJI Directed NTA to Publish Results of All Candidates on Their Website City-Wise by Saturday Noon](https://i0.wp.com/lawchakra.in/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/NEET-UG-2024-.webp?resize=820%2C461&ssl=1)
NEW DELHI: Today(on 18th July), the Supreme Court of India has mandated the National Testing Agency (NTA) to release the full results of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test – Undergraduate (NEET-UG) 2024. The results must be published on the NTA’s website city-wise and centre-wise by 12 pm on Saturday. This directive aims to ensure transparency while safeguarding the identities of the candidates.
The Supreme Court of India has directed the National Testing Agency (NTA) to publish the marks obtained by students while ensuring the students’ identities remain confidential. The directive came from a Bench comprising Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, Justice JB Pardiwala, and Justice Manoj Misra.
![[Breaking] NEET-UG 2024 | CJI Directed NTA to Publish Results of All Candidates on Their Website City-Wise by Saturday Noon](https://i0.wp.com/lawchakra.in/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/CJI-6.jpg?resize=820%2C317&ssl=1)
“The petitioners have suggested that it would be suitable for NTA to publish the NEET-UG results on its website. We instruct NTA to disclose the marks achieved by students in NEET while ensuring the confidentiality of their identities.”
-the Bench observed.
They further specified-
“The results should be announced separately for each center. They will be uploaded by 5 p.m. on Friday.”
The Court’s decision stems from concerns about the integrity of the NEET-UG examination process, particularly following allegations of a question paper leak.
The Court remarked-
“The question we are now considering is whether this issue was limited to these centers (Patna and Hazaribagh) alone, in which case there is no need for a retest, or if it was more widespread.”
Detailed Arguments and Allegations
Senior Advocate Narender Hooda, representing the Petitioners, presented extensive arguments during the hearing. Hooda contended that the IIT-Madras report, which is central to the NTA’s defense, was based on incomplete data. He pointed out a potential conflict of interest, noting that the Director of IIT Madras is a member of the NTA’s Governing Body, and therefore, the report “may not be relied on.” Hooda also argued that the image of the Telegram Channel, showing the question paper’s circulation, was not tampered with, contrary to the NTA’s claims.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Union, refuted the allegations, stating that there was no widespread leak of the NEET-UG 2024 examination.
He asserted-
“There was no widespread leak during the conduct of NEET-UG 2024; the breach occurred only in Patna and Hazaribagh.”
Mehta also informed the Court that a CBI enquiry is already underway and necessary steps have been taken to address the issue.
Hooda raised concerns about the breach’s impact on the examination’s fairness, stating-
“In the joint written submission, under the heading ‘Systemic Failure,’ it is stated that the question paper was circulated on a Telegram Channel before the scheduled examination. This security breach has raised significant concerns about the fairness and integrity of the examination process.”
Examination of Evidence and Statements
Chief Justice Chandrachud highlighted the motives behind the leak, saying-
“Please keep in mind that the intention behind these actions was not merely to create a spectacle out of the NEET exams nationally. Those involved were motivated by financial gain.”
Hooda responded to the NTA’s claim that the Telegram image was doctored:
“They argue that because of the red circle present in the image, it has been altered. However, when a document from a Telegram Channel is edited, the time stamp remains unchanged. The time displayed (May 5) is not when the document was received but is merely a watermark; the actual time cannot be altered. I have personally verified this with the assistance of my colleagues. The photograph of the question paper was circulated on May 4. Now, they are asking the Hon’ble Court to disregard this date and time.”
The Bench also scrutinized the data on record, particularly focusing on the window provided to candidates to change their cities. They compared the number of candidates who appeared in the cities of Patna and Hazaribagh, where the breach allegedly occurred, with the number of candidates who cleared the cut-off. The Court noted a significant increase in the number of candidates scoring high marks, stating-
“The number of candidates who appeared in 2022, 2023, and 2024, as well as those scoring between 550 to 720 marks, saw a 300% increase.”
The Supreme Court has postponed the hearing on the NEET-UG 2024 controversy to Monday, July 22, 2024. This decision follows extensive arguments and the submission of numerous documents related to the case.
NTA’s Response to Petitioners’ Claims
The National Testing Agency (NTA) has submitted written responses to the claims made by the Petitioners. According to the NTA, the data and graphs presented by the Petitioners are misleading.
![[Breaking] NEET-UG 2024 | CJI Directed NTA to Publish Results of All Candidates on Their Website City-Wise by Saturday Noon](https://i0.wp.com/lawchakra.in/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/NTA.png?resize=360%2C360&ssl=1)
The NTA stated-
“It is further argued that the table presented and relied upon by the Petitioners is factually incorrect, and the graphs derived from it are also disputed. The graphs cited by the Petitioners only cover specific score intervals (715, 710, 670, and 660) in NEET (UG) from 2020 to 2024. However, upon analysis, the responding body, as the examination conducting authority and custodian of records, has observed that the increase in scores is evident across most score intervals as highlighted, not solely between 660-715 as incorrectly portrayed by the Petitioners. Additionally, the Petitioners have intentionally omitted discussion of relative performance in the data they rely upon in their Written Submissions under reply.”
Allegations of Video Manipulation
The NTA also addressed allegations regarding a leaked video, stating-
“Furthermore, discussions within the Telegram channel suggest that members recognized the video as fabricated. It appears that the timestamp was manipulated to falsely indicate an early leak. According to Telegram’s Terms of Service, a message and/or file sent on the app can be replaced or edited within 48 hours of the original sending. Social media comments and discussions further support that the images in the video were manipulated, and the date was intentionally altered to suggest a leak on May 4th… It is argued that the Courts should not give credence to unsubstantiated and misleading media reports. Moreover, these reports are contradictory and contradicted by evidence presented by the petitioners themselves.”
Analysis by IIT Madras Experts
In an additional affidavit, the Centre referenced an analysis by experts from IIT Madras. The affidavit stated that there is no evidence of widespread malpractice or localized cheating that could have led to abnormal scores in the NEET-UG 2024. This affidavit was filed in response to the Supreme Court’s directives issued on July 8, 2024.
Supreme Court’s Remarks on Potential Retest
During the last hearing, the Supreme Court emphasized the potential consequences of a paper leak in NEET-UG 2024.
The Court noted-
“If the question paper for NEET-UG 2024 was leaked on social media or Telegram channels, it would have widespread implications, jeopardizing the integrity of the exam. Those who benefited from the leak must be identified and dealt with rigorously.”
The Court suggested that a retest might be necessary if the leak was extensive.
Directions to NTA and CBI
The Supreme Court has directed the NTA to address various questions related to the alleged malpractices and paper leaks. Additionally, the Court has instructed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to submit a status report on the FIRs filed in connection with the case.
NTA’s Stand on Exam Syllabus and Paper Leak
The NTA, in its response, argued that the high scores in NEET-UG 2024 were due to a reduced syllabus, intended to alleviate student pressure. The agency contended that the number of candidates involved in the alleged leak was minimal, and thus canceling the entire examination would be impractical. The Union of India supported this view, stating that without evidence of a large-scale breach, scrapping the examination would be unreasonable.
The Supreme Court will also review petitions calling for a CBI and Enforcement Directorate (ED) investigation into the matter. On June 20, 2024, the Court had stayed proceedings in various petitions filed in Rajasthan, Calcutta, and Bombay High Courts. Earlier, on June 13, 2024, the Court had approved recommendations from the Union of India and NTA to conduct a re-examination for 1563 candidates who received compensatory marks in NEET-UG 2024. This re-examination is scheduled for June 25, 2024.
Petition by Jaripiti Kartheek
A significant petition was filed by Jaripiti Kartheek under Article 32 of the Constitution, challenging the compensatory marks granted to 1563 candidates. Kartheek argued that these candidates were given less than the stipulated three hours and twenty minutes to complete their exam.
NTA’s Request for Transfer of Petitions
On June 14, 2024, the Court issued a notice on the NTA’s petition to transfer pending cases related to NEET-UG malpractices from various High Courts. The matter was listed for hearing on July 8, 2024. Other transfer petitions by the NTA were withdrawn, as the issue of compensatory marks had already been settled by the Court on June 13, 2024.
In a related case, the Allahabad High Court dismissed a petition filed by Ayushi Patel, a NEET-UG aspirant. Patel’s documents were found to be forged and manipulated. The Court noted that it could not prevent the authorities from taking legal action against Patel for submitting false documents.
Case Title:
Vanshika Yadav v. Union of India & Ors.
