The National Testing Agency (NTA) has announced a re-examination for a select group of NEET UG 2024 applicants. This ruling follows the Supreme Court’s clearance to resolve complaints about “grace marks” provided to certain students who had technological difficulties during the main test.
Re-Examination Details:
Date: 23 June, 2024.
Number of candidates: 1,563.
Reason for re-examination: Cancellation of “grace marks” given for technical difficulties
Background:
During the NEET UG 2024 exam, some candidates reportedly encountered technical problems, such as biometric registration failures. To compensate for lost time, the NTA awarded “grace marks” to these students. However, this decision sparked controversy, raising questions about fairness for those who didn’t receive such benefits.
Supreme Court Intervention:
Following challenges to the “grace marks” policy, the Supreme Court intervened. The NTA informed the court about their decision to conduct a re-examination solely for the 1,563 candidates who received these marks. This approach ensures a level playing field for them while minimizing disruption for the remaining test-takers.
Impact on Counselling:
The re-examination of the affected candidates will not delay the counselling process for medical admissions. The NTA expects to declare the re-exam results by June 30th, 2024, allowing for a smooth transition to the counselling phase scheduled for July.
Reactions:
The decision has received mixed reactions. While some students appreciate the opportunity to compete on an equal footing, others continue to advocate for a re-exam for all candidates. They claim that their performance might have been influenced by various other irregularities apart from technical hitches. The ongoing efforts to ensure fairness and transparency in high-stakes entrance exams are underscored by the retake of NEET UG 2024. Whether this will completely address worries and facilitate counselling free from controversies is yet to be seen.
