The Supreme Court is currently hearing on petitions calling for the cancellation and re-examination of the NEET-UG 2024 due to allegations of paper leaks and issues with the allocation of grace marks. During the hearing, it was revealed that the scores of 1,563 candidates have been invalidated. The National Testing Agency (NTA) has announced that a re-examination for these affected candidates is scheduled for June 23, with results and subsequent counselling expected to be completed by June 30.
A vacation bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath and Ahsanuddin Amanullah is currently hearing the first petition, which was filed by Shivangi Mishra and nine others on June 1, before the NEET-UG 2024 results were announced. (Shivangi Mishra and Others vs. National Testing Agency and Others).
The ongoing court hearing addresses three additional petitions calling for the cancellation of the NEET UG 2024 exam and the administration of a retest due to alleged irregularities in the allocation of grace marks. Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta are set to consider these petitions, which also seek a suspension of the counseling process. The petitions challenge the NEET-UG 2024 results, citing extensive anomalies and contesting the National Testing Agency’s decision to award grace marks to over 1,500 candidates citing “loss of time.”
Previously, the Supreme Court issued notices to the central government and the National Testing Agency (NTA) in response to these petitions. The court acknowledged that the integrity of the medical entrance examination had been compromised but chose not to halt the counseling process for undergraduate medical admissions. The court stated, “The sanctity has been compromised, and we need answers,” and scheduled further hearings for July 8.
The petitioners are advocating for the cancellation and re-examination of the NEET UG, citing the NTA’s controversial decision to grant grace marks to approximately 1,600 students. This move has sparked significant dissatisfaction among students and parents alike. In response to these concerns, the NTA has addressed various issues, including a viral video that showed a candidate from Uttar Pradesh with a torn OMR sheet.
Image: SFI
