Controversies continue to cloud the NEET UG 2024 test, forcing the Supreme Court to call for prompt corrective actions on alleged anomalies towards the National Testing Agency (NTA). This was evident from a vacation bench hearing on June 18, 2024, before Justices Vikram Nath and SV Bhatti delivered scathing remarks.
Court Demands Transparency and Accountability:
The bench emphasized the seriousness of the situation, stating, “If there is 0.001% negligence on the part of anyone it should be thoroughly dealt with.” This statement highlights the court’s expectation of a thorough investigation and appropriate action against anyone found responsible for any malpractice in the exam.
The court’s observations came during a hearing on a plea filed by Nitin Vijay, an aspirant who raised concerns about an alleged paper leak. Vijay’s lawyer emphasized the immense effort students invest in preparing for the NEET UG exam, urging the court to consider the potential impact of irregularities.
The NTA and the Union government, represented by Lawyer Kanu Agarwal, requested the court to withhold judgment until a formal response could be filed. However, the court remained firm in its stance, emphasizing, “We expect a timely action from NTA.”
Justice Bhatti further elaborated, stating, “As NTA, you must act fair. If there is a mistake, say yes, this is a mistake, and this is the action we are going to take. This will inspire confidence in your performance.” This statement underlines the court’s desire for transparency and accountability from the exam conducting body.
Current Situation:
The Supreme Court has not yet reached a final verdict on the controversy. The hearing on Nitin Vijay’s plea has been adjourned until July 8th, where it will be considered alongside other similar cases.
In the meantime, the court has upheld the decision to cancel the grace marks awarded to 1,563 candidates who faced time constraints during the exam. These candidates will be offered the opportunity to retake the exam on June 23rd, with results expected by June 30th. They also have the option to forgo the re-exam and have their scores, minus the grace marks, considered for NEET UG. The NTA has assured the court that the re-examination and result declaration will be finalized by July 1st, to avoid disrupting the counseling process for medical seats which is scheduled to begin on July 4th.
While the court is not inclined to stall the counseling process, they have reserved the right to review and potentially reverse any decisions made during counseling, should the ongoing investigation into the alleged irregularities reveal misconduct.
The Supreme Court’s firm stance puts pressure on the NTA to address the concerns raised by students and the public. As the investigation progresses and the court hears further arguments, the ultimate resolution to the NEET UG controversy remains to be seen.
