Today(on 22nd July), The Supreme Court directed IIT Delhi to form a panel of experts to review a disputed NEET-UG exam question, with a report due by Tuesday noon. Chief Justice DY Chandrachud’s bench heard petitions about alleged exam irregularities, focusing on a question with ambiguous options affecting the scoring of candidates.
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NEW DELHI: Today(on 22nd July), The Supreme Court of India, directed the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi to establish a panel of experts to provide their opinion on a disputed question in the NEET-UG exam. The court has mandated the panel to submit their findings by Tuesday noon.
Court Hearing on NEET-UG Exam Irregularities
A bench, led by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, was addressing multiple petitions regarding the alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG exam conducted on May 5. The petitions highlighted concerns about the fairness and accuracy of the exam’s evaluation process.
Petitioner’s Challenge on Ambiguous NEET-UG Question
During the hearing, a petitioner who scored 711 marks in the exam challenged the validity of a particular question that had ambiguous options. The petitioner’s counsel argued that option 4 was the correct answer based on the updated NCERT edition. However, students who chose option 2 were also awarded grace marks, as it was deemed correct according to previous NCERT editions.
The petitioner’s counsel emphasized-
“The instructions specify using the latest NCERT edition, where option 4 is the correct answer. Therefore, those who chose option 2 should not receive full marks.”
Chief Justice’s Observations
Chief Justice Chandrachud responded to the arguments by acknowledging the discrepancy.
“The instructions are to follow the latest NCERT edition, where option 4 is the correct answer. Therefore, those who chose option 2 should not receive full marks. In this case, they may have a valid point.”
-he remarked.
The petitioner, through her counsel, highlighted that she did not attempt the question to avoid negative marking. Despite this, the National Testing Agency (NTA), which conducted the exam, awarded full marks to 44 candidates who selected either of the two options.
Formation of Expert Panel
In light of these concerns, the Supreme Court has instructed IIT Delhi to form a panel of experts to review the disputed question and determine the correct answer based on the latest NCERT edition. The court expects the panel to submit their report by Tuesday noon, providing a resolution to the ambiguity.
This directive aims to ensure fairness and accuracy in the evaluation process of the NEET-UG exam, addressing the grievances raised by the petitioners and upholding the integrity of the examination system.
The report from the IIT Delhi expert panel is anticipated to provide clarity on the disputed question, potentially leading to a revision of the marks awarded. This could impact the final scores and rankings of the candidates affected by the ambiguity.
The Supreme Court’s intervention underscores the importance of maintaining strict adherence to updated academic standards in competitive examinations, ensuring that all candidates are evaluated fairly based on the most current information.
The Supreme Court of India is currently reviewing the decision made by the National Testing Agency (NTA) to award marks to NEET candidates who selected either of two possible answers for a particular question. The issue was brought before the Chief Justice, who questioned Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the NTA, on the rationale behind this decision.
Court Inquiry on NTA Decision
“Both options were possible answers.”
-Solicitor General Tushar Mehta stated in defense of the NTA’s choice.
This response aimed to justify the NTA’s decision, highlighting the validity of both answers according to the test guidelines.
The Solicitor General further elaborated on the context, mentioning that while the latest edition of NCERT textbooks is recommended for students, many economically disadvantaged students rely on older editions used by their elder siblings. This point was raised to explain the widespread confusion and the resultant representations received from students across the country.
Chief Justice’s Concerns
However, the Chief Justice expressed reservations about this approach.
“Granting marks for option 2 contradicts the rule that only the latest edition should be followed.”
-the Chief Justice remarked, pointing out the inconsistency between the NTA’s current decision and its established guidelines.
Impact on Students
The counsel for the NTA argued that the decision to accept both answers had benefitted over four lakh students. This significant number underscores the widespread impact of the NTA’s decision, which has led to a considerable number of students gaining additional marks.
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“You must choose one option; both cannot coexist.”
-the Chief Justice asserted, emphasizing the need for clarity and consistency in the examination process.
Seeking Expert Opinion
To resolve this matter conclusively, the Chief Justice proposed that an expert opinion be obtained from a reputed institution.
“We request the Director of IIT Delhi to form a team of three subject experts. The team should provide their opinion on the correct option and submit it to the Registrar by 12 noon tomorrow.”
– he instructed.
This directive aims to ensure that the final decision is based on thorough expert analysis, thereby upholding the integrity of the examination process and addressing the concerns raised by the affected students.
