The Supreme Court clarified on Friday that it did not cancel the contentious NEET-UG 2024 examination due to concerns about a paper leak because there was no widespread violation of its integrity
In the detailed reasons for its July 23 decision, a bench comprising Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra stated that the National Testing Agency (NTA) must avoid inconsistencies like those observed this year, as they are not in the best interest of students.
The bench issued several directives and expanded the scope of the government-appointed committee led by former ISRO chief K Radhakrishnan to review the NTA’s operations and recommend examination reforms. With the panel’s scope broadened, the committee is expected to submit its report by September 30, detailing various measures to address deficiencies in the examination system.
The bench also suggested that the Radhakrishnan panel consider developing a standard operating procedure for adopting technological advancements to bolster the examination process. It emphasized that the issues identified during the NEET-UG examination should be addressed by the government.
On July 23, the Supreme Court rejected pleas to cancel and re-conduct the disputed exam, stating that there was no evidence to suggest a “systemic breach” of its integrity. While announcing the decision, the court mentioned that detailed reasons would be provided later.
The interim decision provided relief to the NDA government and the NTA, which faced significant criticism and protests—both publicly and in Parliament—over alleged widespread misconduct, such as question paper leaks, fraud, and impersonation in the prestigious exam held on May 5.
Over 23 lakh students appeared for the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test-Undergraduate (NEET-UG) in 2024, seeking admission to MBBS, BDS, AYUSH, and other related courses.
(With inputs from agency)
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