Today, the Supreme Court of India will hear a series of petitions calling for the cancellation of the NEET-UG 2024 exam due to alleged malpractices and a paper leak. Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, along with Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, will begin hearing the petitions after 10:30 AM. Both the Central Government and the National Testing Agency (NTA) have filed affidavits opposing the demand to cancel the exam.
Government and NTA Oppose Cancellation
The Centre and the NTA argue that scrapping the exam would harm many honest candidates, as there is no proof of a widespread breach of confidentiality. They state that canceling the exam would be "counterproductive" and seriously jeopardize the academic future of thousands of students.
Details of the Hearing
According to the cause list for July 8, a bench comprising Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud and Justices J.B. Pardiwala and Manoj Misra is scheduled to hear 38 petitions related to the exam. These petitions include allegations of irregularities and malpractices in the May 5 test and calls for the exam to be conducted afresh.
Context of NEET-UG
The National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test-Undergraduate (NEET-UG) is conducted by the NTA for admissions to MBBS, BDS, AYUSH, and other related courses in government and private institutions across India.
Counseling and Concerns
NEET counseling is expected to be held in the third week of July. Over 50 successful NEET candidates have approached the Supreme Court to prevent any move for a re-exam.
Response to Allegations
In their affidavits, the Centre and the NTA stated that the CBI is investigating the cases registered in various states. They argue that there is no evidence of a large-scale breach of confidentiality and that canceling the exam would be irrational. The NTA emphasized that the exam was conducted fairly, maintaining confidentiality, and that allegations of mass malpractice are unfounded.
High-Level Committee
The government has established a high-level committee of experts to recommend measures for conducting transparent, smooth, and fair exams by the NTA. This panel will also suggest reforms in the examination process, data security protocols, and the functioning of the NTA.
Protests and Political Debates
Allegations of irregularities, including paper leaks, have led to protests in several cities and disputes among political parties. The Ministry of Education and the NTA reported canceling the grace marks awarded to 1,563 candidates, offering them a re-test or the option to forgo the compensatory marks.
Revised Results
The NTA announced the revised rank list on July 1, after the re-test held on June 23. Originally, 67 students had scored a perfect 720, but this number reduced to 61 in the revised results, raising suspicions about irregularities in the examination.
The Supreme Court's decision on these petitions will have significant implications for the future of the NEET-UG 2024 and its candidates.