Today, On 21st October, Chief Justice of India (CJI) D.Y. Chandrachud announced that an expert panel has been granted a two-week extension to file its report on the reforms for NEET-UG (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test-Undergraduate). The report will address key concerns related to the exam’s structure and process. This extension allows the panel to provide a comprehensive evaluation, which could lead to significant changes in the NEET-UG system.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court, On Monday, granted a two-week extension to the seven-member expert panel appointed by the Centre, allowing them more time to submit their report on exam reforms.
This extension comes after the panel reviewed the operations of the National Testing Agency (NTA) in administering the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test for Undergraduate (NEET-UG).
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Initially, the Supreme Court issued a formal order on August 2, broadening the panel’s mandate to assess the NTA’s functioning and to propose reforms aimed at enhancing transparency and reducing malpractice in the NEET-UG exam process.
The NEET-UG is a crucial examination for students seeking admission to undergraduate medical programs across India. During the proceedings, the Supreme Court declined to annul the NEET-UG for 2024, citing insufficient evidence to suggest any systemic leaks or malpractice that would undermine the examination’s integrity.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Centre, informed the bench led by Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud that the deadline for the expert committee’s report was approaching and requested an additional two weeks. The bench, which included Justices J.B. Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, acknowledged that the report nearly complete and granted the extension.
In its earlier ruling, the court had noted several significant lapses in NTA’s operations, including a security breach at an examination center in Hazaribagh, Jharkhand, where unauthorized individuals gained access to question papers, as well as issues related to the transportation of exam materials via e-rickshaws and the distribution of incorrect question paper sets to candidates.
The panel, chaired by former Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) chief K. Radhakrishnan, includes notable members such as Randeep Guleria, B.J. Rao, Ramamurthy K., Pankaj Bansal, Aditya Mittal, and Govind Jaiswal.
The Supreme Court emphasized that the committee’s responsibilities would extend beyond their initial tasks from the union government and NTA. They will also address examination security and administration, data protection, and technological improvements.
Additionally, the panel expected to focus on policy development, stakeholder engagement, international collaboration, and the provision of mental health support for students, as well as training for NTA staff.
In 2024, over 2.3 million students participated in the NEET-UG, competing for admission to various medical programs, including MBBS, BDS, AYUSH, and related disciplines.
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