The Supreme Court will hear three petitions related to the NEET-UG 2024 controversy, including one filed by Alakh Pandey, CEO of EdTech firm PhysicsWallah, on Thursday, June 13.
According to the court’s updated list of business, a vacation bench consisting of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta will address grievances concerning the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test-Undergraduate (NEET-UG) 2024.
Petitions in Supreme Court
Alakh Pandey has filed a petition against the National Testing Agency (NTA) for allegedly awarding grace marks randomly to over 1,500 candidates. The court will also hear separate petitions filed by Abdullah Mohammed Faiz and Jaripiti Kartheek.
Pandey has requested the Supreme Court to establish an expert panel under its supervision to “enquire into the examination process and results of NEET (UG) 2024.”
The NEET-UG 2024 examination was conducted by the NTA on May 5 across 4,750 centers, with approximately 24 lakh candidates appearing. The results, initially expected on June 14, were announced early on June 4 due to the prompt completion of answer sheet evaluations.
Protests Over the Matter
Allegations of question paper leaks and the awarding of grace marks to over 1,500 candidates have sparked protests and legal actions in seven high courts and the Supreme Court. Notably, 67 students scored a perfect 720, a first in NTA’s history, with six from a center in Haryana’s Faridabad, raising suspicions of irregularities. On June 10, several students protested in Delhi, demanding a probe into these allegations.
It has been suggested that grace marks contributed to 67 students achieving the top rank.
NEET-UG is conducted by the NTA for admissions to MBBS, BDS, AYUSH, and other related courses in government and private institutions nationwide.
Use of Unfair Means but No Paper Leak, Says NTA
NTA officials reported 63 cases of students using unfair means in NEET-UG, with 23 debarred for varying periods. However, they affirmed that the integrity of the exam remains intact, with no evidence of a paper leak.
The results of 40 candidates found using unfair means have been withheld, according to NTA DG Subodh Kumar Singh. A committee of three examination and academic experts reviewed cases of impersonation, cheating, and tampering with OMR sheets. Based on the committee’s recommendations, 12 candidates were banned from taking the exam for three years, nine for two years, and two for one year each, with the results of the remaining candidates withheld.
(With inputs from PTI)
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