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The Supreme Court of India has taken serious steps to address alleged malpractices in the NEET UG 2024 exam. Chief Justice DY Chandrachud has instructed the National Testing Agency (NTA), the Union government, and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to submit affidavits by 5 pm on Wednesday, July 10.
Instructions for Petitioners’ Lawyers
The court has asked all lawyers representing petitioners who seek a re-test to submit a consolidated set of submissions by the same date. Chief Justice Chandrachud emphasized the need for a unified approach to the case, saying, “We will give you a day’s time. We want all petitioners’ lawyers, asking for a re-test, to give us one set of submissions on Wednesday.”
Key Concerns and Observations
The Supreme Court, under Chief Justice Chandrachud, highlighted the severity of the issue due to confirmed paper leaks. The Chief Justice stressed the importance of determining whether the breach was widespread and its impact on the integrity of the exam process. He stated, “It is an admitted fact that there is a leak, and the nature of the leak is something that we are determining. If it is not extensive, then there is no cancellation. But before we order a re-test, we must be conscious of the extent of the leak as we are dealing with 23 lakh students.”
Also Check: NEET UG 2024 Counselling Postponed Until Further Notice
Areas for Review
Chief Justice Chandrachud specified the following areas for the NTA and CBI to clarify:
- Timing and manner of the question paper leaks.
- Duration between the leak and the exam.
- Steps taken by the NTA to identify centers and students involved.
- The CBI’s status report on their investigation and any new findings.
Concerns Raised by the Chief Justice
The Chief Justice expressed concerns about the logistics of leaked papers and suggested analyzing data to identify anomalies. He remarked, “If we come to the conclusion that the time lag between the leak and the actual exam is limited, it would militate against a re-test. If students were asked to memorize on the morning of the exam, the leak might not have been so widespread. If we can’t identify candidates who are guilty of wrongdoing, a re-test has to be ordered.”
Background and Next Steps
The directive comes after the NTA declared NEET UG 2024 results on June 4, followed by allegations of paper leaks. The CBI investigation has led to several arrests and is looking into the possibility of an organized group behind the leaks. The Ministry of Education supports the NTA’s stance against canceling the exam without substantial proof of a large-scale breach. However, the Supreme Court’s focus on thorough investigation and data-driven analysis underlines the seriousness of the issue.
With around 24 lakh students registered for the NEET UG exam and approximately 23.33 lakh appearing, the outcome of this hearing is crucial for medical admissions in India. The Supreme Court’s decision on July 11 will set a significant precedent for handling examination controversies in the future.
Also Check: Is Re-NEET Possible for All the Candidates?
FAQs on Supreme Court Order for Detailed Review of NEET UG 2024 Malpractices
What is the Supreme Court's judgement on NEET UG 2024?
The Supreme Court has asked the National Testing Agency (NTA) to provide details on how they identified candidates who benefited from the NEET-UG 2024 paper leak. The court wants to ensure that the exam's fairness is maintained.
Will there be a re-test for NEET UG 2024?
The Supreme Court, led by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, will first listen to the petitions of those requesting a re-test. This hearing is scheduled to take place on July 11.
What did the Supreme Court say about NEET UG 2024?
On July 8, the Supreme Court stated that canceling the entire NEET-UG 2024 exam would be a 'last resort' because it would impact the lives of over 23 lakh students who took the exam for medical admissions.
