Breaking: No Re-Exam for NEET UG 2024, Says Education Minister: Millions of Genuine Students Will Be Affected

During the press conference, Pradhan also revealed that the government will form a high-level committee to review the functioning of the National Testing Agency (NTA). This committee will focus on ensuring transparency and preventing future errors.

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan announced today that no fresh examination will be conducted for the NEET UG 2024, despite the paper leak scandal. The decision aims to protect the interests of millions of genuine candidates who have qualified the exam, particularly those from rural areas. Pradhan assured the public that the culprits behind the paper leak will be brought to justice and emphasized the government’s commitment to maintaining the integrity of the examination process.

During the press conference, Pradhan also revealed that the government will form a high-level committee to review the functioning of the National Testing Agency (NTA). This committee will focus on ensuring transparency and preventing future errors. The government is committed to a zero-error examination process, and the committee will include experts from various fields to strengthen the NTA’s operations.

The call for a re-examination has intensified following Anurag Yadav's confession, an accused in the paper leak case. Yadav, from Samastipur, admitted to receiving the leaked paper a day before the exam from his uncle, a Junior Engineer. He disclosed a network involving Amit Anand and Nitish Kumar, with Anand identified as the mastermind.

Yadav's revelation, documented by Shiksha, has sparked further outrage among students. The NEET UG 2024 results, declared on June 4, noted an unprecedented 67 students achieving perfect scores, fueling suspicions of malpractice. The NTA's decision on June 13 to re-evaluate students who received grace marks has not quelled the discontent. Protests, led by the National Students' Union of India (NSUI), have erupted, demanding justice and the dissolution of the NTA.

Adding to the controversy, the Indian National Congress accused the Modi government of failing to address multiple paper leaks over the past five years, affecting 1.75 crore candidates. "The Modi government is trying to shield the NTA," alleged the INC, criticizing the Education Minister’s reluctance to acknowledge the leak.

The Supreme Court, in its hearing on June 20, refused to halt NEET counseling and put a hold on ongoing cases in High Courts. The court demanded a response from the NTA by July 8, stressing the need for accountability and improvements if any errors were identified. The Ministry of Education has also sought a detailed report from the Economic Offences Unit of Bihar Police on the irregularities in Patna.

In response to the scandal, the NTA announced the invalidation of 1,563 candidates' scorecards who had received grace marks due to exam disruptions. These candidates are allowed to retake the exam on June 23, with results expected by June 30, to keep the counseling schedule on track.

As investigations and legal proceedings continue, the focus remains on ensuring fairness and maintaining the credibility of one of India’s most critical entrance exams. The Supreme Court underscored the importance of addressing any negligence, however minor, and recognized the efforts of the students who diligently prepared for the exams. The next court hearing is scheduled for July 8, 2024, to further address the procedural lapses and allegations of unfair practices in the NEET-UG 2024 examination process.

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