20 students have petitioned the Supreme Court to cancel the NEET-UG 2024 exam, alleging irregularities. They seek a CBI-monitored investigation and a retest by NTA for fair admissions to medical colleges.
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NEW DELHI: A group of 20 students has filed a plea in the Supreme Court, seeking the cancellation of the NEET-UG 2024 exam held on May 5 due to alleged irregularities. The petition also demands a court-monitored probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) or another independent agency into these allegations.
The plea highlights several concerning issues related to the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (Undergraduate)-2024, emphasizing the need for transparency and integrity in the examination process. It calls for the National Testing Agency (NTA) to conduct a fresh test to ensure that only deserving students are shortlisted for admission to medical institutions.
During a separate hearing on similar grievances, the Supreme Court had previously sought responses from the Centre and the NTA regarding allegations of question paper leaks and other irregularities. This has added weight to the current plea, which argues that the sanctity of the examination has been compromised.
The fresh plea states-
“Due to confirmed instances of question paper leakage, as reported in the media, FIRs have been filed and arrests have been made, raising doubts about the integrity of the examination.”
This statement, drawn by advocate Dheeraj Singh, underscores the gravity of the situation.
The petitioners argue that the re-examination is necessary due to “rampant irregularities and fraudulent practices.” They believe that a re-test is the only way to ensure a fair selection process for aspiring medical students. The plea asserts that the current examination process has failed to maintain its integrity, thereby affecting the future of many deserving candidates.
“The integrity of the examination is under scrutiny following confirmed reports of question paper leaks, leading to FIRs and multiple arrests, as detailed in media sources.”
-” the plea reiterates.
This repeated assertion aims to emphasize the depth of the irregularities and the need for urgent corrective action.
The petitioners also point out that multiple FIRs have been registered, and several individuals have been apprehended in connection with the alleged question paper leak. This, they argue, is sufficient grounds for conducting a fresh examination. The plea seeks to address these issues comprehensively, ensuring that the selection process remains fair and just.
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The National Testing Agency (NTA) declared the results of the NEET-UG examination, revealing that 67 candidates scored the maximum possible marks of 720 out of 720. This significant achievement raised eyebrows, as it indicated an extraordinary increase of over 400 percent in the number of students scoring between 620 and 720 marks compared to previous years.
A plea filed in the Supreme Court highlighted these irregularities, stating-
“The mentioned serious irregularities need thorough investigation by either the CBI or another independent agency or committee overseen by the court, to uphold justice for numerous deserving students affected by systemic failures in ensuring a fair examination process.”
The plea sought a thorough investigation and requested the appointment of a court-supervised committee or an independent agency to conduct a –
“conduct post-exam analysis, including academic background checks and forensic investigations of candidates scoring 620 or higher.”
The objective is to ensure transparency and fairness in the examination process and to address concerns related to alleged fraudulent practices, leakage of question papers, impersonation, and other unfair means in the NEET-UG.
On Thursday, the Centre and the NTA informed the Supreme Court that they had canceled the grace marks given to 1,563 candidates who appeared for the examination for admission to MBBS and related courses. These candidates now have the option to either retake the test or forgo the compensatory marks awarded to them due to the loss of time.
The NEET-UG examination, conducted on May 5 across 4,750 centers, saw the participation of around 24 lakh candidates. While the results were initially expected on June 14, they were announced earlier on June 4 due to the speedy completion of answer sheet evaluations.
Allegations of question paper leaks and other irregularities, particularly in states like Bihar, have marred the reputation of this prestigious exam. These allegations have sparked protests in several cities and led to the filing of petitions in various high courts and the Supreme Court. On June 10, scores of students protested in Delhi, demanding a probe into the alleged irregularities.
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The revelation that 67 students scored a perfect 720 marks, an unprecedented achievement in the history of the NTA, added fuel to the fire. Notably, six of these top scorers were from a center in Haryana’s Faridabad, further raising suspicions of malpractice. It has been alleged that the awarding of grace marks contributed to these 67 students sharing the top rank.
The NEET-UG examination, conducted by the NTA, is crucial for admissions to MBBS, BDS, AYUSH, and other related courses in both government and private institutions across India. Ensuring the integrity of this examination process is paramount to maintaining the trust and fairness expected by millions of aspiring medical students.
