56 Gujarat Students Petition Supreme Court Against Re-NEET Amid 2024 Paper Leak Controversy

The students argue that re-conducting the NEET UG 2024 exam would be unfair to honest students and violate their fundamental rights under Articles 14 and 21A.

Fifty-six medical students from Gujarat have filed a petition in the Supreme Court opposing calls for a 'Re-NEET' and the cancellation of NEET-UG 2024 results. They demand that the current results be upheld, except for those who used unfair means.

The students argue that re-conducting the NEET UG 2024 exam would be unfair to honest students and violate their fundamental rights under Articles 14 and 21A.

The petitioners request the court to issue a writ of mandamus to the National Testing Agency (NTA), preventing the cancellation of the NEET-UG 2024 exams held on May 5, 2024. They emphasize the hard work and dedication required to clear the exam and the undue stress caused by ongoing media coverage suggesting a re-exam.

The NEET-UG 2024 controversy began with allegations of widespread paper leaks and irregularities. Several petitions claim the exam was compromised, leading to calls for a fresh examination and a CBI investigation. Following the declaration of results, additional pleas were made against the arbitrary grant of grace marks to 1,536 candidates, allegedly to provide 'back-door entry' to certain individuals. These issues have prompted demands for stringent action against those involved in malpractices.

The petitioners highlight the anxiety and stress caused by media coverage of the Re-NEET calls, particularly among students who have worked diligently to pass the exam. They argue that re-conducting the exam would be unreasonable and harsh on students who cleared it fairly.

"The Hon'ble court may further direct the respondents not to re-conduct NEET-UG 2024 by cancelling NEET-UG 2024 held on 05.05.2024 as that would not only be unreasonable and harsh for the honest and hardworking students but also would lead to the infringement of the Right to Education and therefore violative of Article 14 of the Constitution of India, 1950," the petition states.

The petitioners also seek the identification and strict action against candidates and centers involved in malpractices. They urge the Supreme Court to direct the NTA to investigate and identify those who adopted unfair means or engaged in illegal activities such as paper leakage and impersonation.

The Supreme Court, led by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, is scheduled to hear petitions on July 8 challenging the alleged malpractices and irregularities in the NEET-UG 2024 exam conducted by the NTA.

The Union has informed the vacation bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta of their decision to cancel the grace marks of 1,536 candidates. On June 21, Justices Vikram Nath and SVN Bhatti refused to stay the counseling/seat allotment process for NEET-UG, set to begin on July 6, with the observation that any medical admissions will be subject to the final outcome of the pending petitions.

Additionally, a high-level committee of experts was established by the Union Education Ministry on June 22 to recommend reforms in the examination process, improvements in data security protocols, and the structure and functioning of the NTA.