The Supreme Court has taken a serious view of the ongoing controversy surrounding the NEET-UG 2024 results, issuing notices to the central government and the National Testing Agency (NTA) following a fresh petition alleging discrepancies in scores and preferential treatment to certain students.
The court’s concern was evident as it remarked that the sanctity of the examination has been affected and demanded answers regarding the allegations raised. Justices Vikram Nath and Ahsanuddin Amanullah emphasized the need for clarity and transparency in the examination process.
While the court did not halt counselling for admissions, it expressed the need for a thorough investigation into the matter. The hearing has been adjourned to July 8 and will be taken up with another plea before Chief Justice DY Chandrachud.
The petition raised significant issues, including discrepancies in the grant of grace marks, the lack of a defined logic for these marks, and concerns over the fairness and integrity of the examination process. Petitioners from Telangana and Andhra Pradesh highlighted statistically impossible marks, such as students scoring the maximum possible marks of 720 out of 720.
The petition also pointed out anomalies in the provisional answer key released by the NTA, with over 13,000 students contesting the answers provided. Additionally, the petition drew attention to instances where a large number of students from a particular coaching centre scored full marks, raising suspicions of preferential treatment.
The dangers of cheating in a medical entrance test were underscored in the plea, highlighting the potential lack of competence and the risk to patient safety if unfair means are used to pass such exams. The petition stressed the importance of meritocracy and equal opportunities in ensuring social mobility and fairness in society.
The Supreme Court’s decision to issue notices and delve deeper into the NEET-UG 2024 controversy reflects the gravity of the situation and the need for a fair and transparent examination process that upholds the principles of merit and integrity.
Meanwhile, the NTA has announced the formation of a high-powered committee to address the grievances of 1,600 students who have already taken the NEET 2024 exam, indicating a proactive step towards addressing concerns raised by aspirants.
Sources By Agencies
