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A plea has been filed in the Supreme Court seeking the cancellation of the NEET-UG 2024 exam and requesting a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) or another independent agency into alleged irregularities during the test held on May 5, reported PTI.
The petition, filed by 20 students who participated in the medical entrance exam, also demands a re-examination supervised by the apex court.
During a session on Friday addressing various grievances related to the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (Undergraduate) 2024, the Supreme Court called for responses from the Centre and the National Testing Agency (NTA) regarding a plea for a CBI investigation into accusations of question paper leaks and other misconduct
The latest plea highlights “rampant irregularities and fraudulent practices,” arguing that a re-examination would ensure that only deserving students secure admission to medical institutions. “The sanctity of the examination is questionable due to confirmed cases of question paper leaks, with FIRs filed and several arrests made,” stated the plea, drafted by advocate Dheeraj Singh.
The petition noted that the results announced by the NTA showed an unprecedented 67 candidates scoring the maximum possible marks of 720 out of 720. A detailed analysis revealed a more than 400 percent increase in the number of students scoring between 620 and 720 marks compared to previous years.
The plea calls for a thorough investigation by the CBI or another independent agency, under court supervision, to address the alleged systemic failures and ensure justice for meritorious students. It also seeks a post-exam analysis, including academic background checks and forensic investigations of candidates scoring 620 and above.
In response to the allegations, the Centre and the NTA informed the Supreme Court on Thursday that they had revoked the grace marks awarded to 1,563 candidates. These candidates have been offered the choice to either retake the exam or forgo the compensatory marks given for lost time.
The NEET-UG exam, held on May 5 across 4,750 centers, saw participation from around 24 lakh candidates. While results were initially expected on June 14, they were released on June 4 due to the early completion of answer sheet evaluations.
Accusations of question paper leaks, particularly in Bihar, and other irregularities have sparked protests and legal actions across multiple states. On June 10, numerous students protested in Delhi, demanding an investigation into the alleged irregularities. Notably, the extraordinary number of top scorers, including six from a single centre in Haryana’s Faridabad, has fueled suspicions of misconduct.
The NEET-UG is conducted by the NTA for admissions to MBBS, BDS, AYUSH, and other related courses in both government and private institutions nationwide. The ongoing controversy underscores the critical need for transparency and fairness in the examination process to maintain the integrity of medical education in India.
