In a significant decision, the Supreme Court on Tuesday ruled out ordering a re-test for the 2024 NEET-UG examination, asserting that there was insufficient evidence of a “systemic breach” jeopardizing the exam’s integrity. Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, leading the bench, emphasized that the localized leaks of the question paper did not compromise the overall sanctity of the examination.
The Court’s decision affects approximately 23.33 lakh medical aspirants, many of whom had traveled long distances to their exam centers. Chief Justice Chandrachud highlighted the potential far-reaching consequences of ordering a re-test at this juncture.
Acknowledging the leaks at specific centers in Hazaribagh (Jharkhand) and Patna (Bihar), the Chief Justice referred to Hazaribagh as ‘Ground Zero’ for the leaks. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has been investigating a nationwide ‘solver gang’ racket implicated in leaking question papers, with Hazaribagh being a focal point of their inquiry.
The Court’s decision underscores the cautious approach taken in assessing the impact of the breaches on the overall fairness of the NEET-UG examination nationwide.