NEET Controversy Returns: Supreme Court Demands Responses from NTA and Center
The Supreme Court has issued notices to the National Testing Agency and federal government regarding fresh petitions alleging irregularities in 2024 medical entrance exams. While the court declined to freeze the counseling process, it has tagged new pleas with existing litigation.
Judicial Oversight Intensifies Over Exam Integrity
The integrity of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET-UG) 2024 remains under heavy scrutiny as the Supreme Court of India resumed hearings on Tuesday. A vacation bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath and SVN Bhatti issued notices to the National Testing Agency (NTA) and the Union Government, seeking formal responses to a new wave of petitions. These filings raise concerns regarding paper leaks and administrative inconsistencies during the May 5 examination.
Despite the allegations, the bench maintained its stance against pausing the career paths of thousands of candidates. The court explicitly refused to stay the ongoing counseling process, echoing its previous position that the admission cycle must proceed while the legal challenges are adjudicated.
Consolidation of Legal Challenges
The judiciary has moved to streamline the various grievances scattered across different courts. The bench instructed that new petitions be tagged with earlier filings, scheduling a collective hearing for July 8. This move ensures a comprehensive review of the NTA's conduct and the merit of the complaints. Key focus areas for the upcoming hearing include:
- Allegations of localized paper leaks in specific states.
- The controversial awarding of grace marks to over 1,500 candidates.
- Significant discrepancies in the final merit list and rank inflation.
Political and Administrative Fallout
The National Testing Agency continues to defend the exam's sanctity, even as students across the country stage protests. The 2024 results revealed an unprecedented number of perfect scores, which critics argue points to a systemic failure rather than academic brilliance. While the Center has recently scrapped grace marks for 1,563 students—offering them a re-test option—legal experts argue that this measure fails to address the broader possibility of a widespread paper compromise. The July 8 session is expected to determine if a full-scale re-examination is necessary or if targeted corrections will suffice.
Source: Indian Express India
