In a crucial development concerning the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test-Undergraduate (NEET-UG) 2024, the Supreme Court indicated on Monday that a retest may be necessary if the sanctity of the medical entrance exam is compromised by the leak of its question paper, particularly through social media channels like Telegram and WhatsApp.
A bench headed by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud expressed firmness on the matter, stating, “If the sanctity of the exam is lost, then a re-test has to be ordered.” The bench, which also included Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, acknowledged the occurrence of question paper leaks and emphasized the rapid spread of leaked content via electronic means, likening it to “wildfire.”
The court’s stance emerged during hearings on over 30 petitions related to alleged irregularities in the May 5 exam, with petitioners raising concerns ranging from question paper leaks to OMR sheet manipulation and impersonation. Noting anomalies such as an unusually high number of candidates scoring maximum marks, the bench sought clarity on the extent of the leak and the geographic distribution of those who may have benefitted.
Addressing the government’s response to the situation, the court questioned measures taken against wrongdoers and the possibility of identifying beneficiaries of the leaked papers. The proceedings also considered pleas from successful candidates in Gujarat seeking to prevent the cancellation of the exam.
The NEET-UG, conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA), is pivotal for admission to medical, dental, and related courses across India. The controversy has sparked widespread public concern, with allegations of malpractices prompting debates and protests nationwide.
Both the NTA and the Union education ministry defended the integrity of the exam in recent submissions to the court, cautioning against its cancellation without substantial evidence of widespread breaches. However, they acknowledged canceling grace marks for 1,563 candidates on June 13 as part of their response to the ongoing scrutiny.
The court proceedings underscored ongoing efforts to safeguard the fairness and credibility of NEET-UG amidst mounting challenges and public scrutiny.
This news format rewrite condenses the original information into a structured news article format while retaining the key details and developments from the Supreme Court hearings on NEET-UG 2024.