SFI Protests at Education Ministry: Calls to Scrap NTA Over NEET UG 2024 Controversies

After the declaration of NEET-UG exam results on June 4, numerous complaints surfaced, questioning the transparency of the NTA's examination conduct. 

A group of students from the Students' Federation of India (SFI) gathered today at the Ministry of Education to protest against the National Testing Agency (NTA) and the alleged scam in the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) 2024. This demonstration comes amidst growing concerns about the NTA's capability to conduct fair and secure examinations.

The association has alleged that the recent NEET scam is the latest in a series of controversies involving the NTA, including previous paper leaks in the Central Universities Entrance Test (CUET). These repeated failures have caused immense stress and anxiety for students, jeopardizing their futures.

The protestors, backed by the left-leaning students' organization, called for the complete dismantling of the NTA. "Students demand an independent and transparent investigation into the alleged irregularities in the NEET exam to ensure accountability. We demand the MHRD establish a more reliable and secure examination system to safeguard the integrity of entrance exams," said Avijit Ghosh, Vice President of JNUSU.

"Time and again, the NTA has backstabbed the student community through flawed ways of conducting examinations. During the recent CUET exams, students suffered due to various discrepancies at the exam centers, and no adequate actions were taken. The NTA has proven itself to be an incompetent body that can't ensure free and fair examinations. The MHRD should take immediate steps to scrap the NTA," said Sooraj Elamon, Joint Secretary of SFI Delhi.

In a statement issued by SFI, the student community stands united in demanding a fair and transparent exam system. The future of countless students is at stake, and the Education Ministry must take immediate action to address these critical issues.

Allegations and Irregularities in NEET UG 2024 Exam

After the declaration of NEET-UG exam results on June 4, numerous complaints surfaced, questioning the transparency of the NTA's examination conduct. SFI alleges, the NTA's alleged incompetence in handling exams has led to significant issues since its inception. Specific allegations include:

Mathematical Improbabilities: With a total score of 720 in the MBBS-BDS Graduate Level Entrance Test, the scoring system awards 4 marks for every correct answer and deducts 1 mark for every incorrect answer. Despite this, scores of 718 and 719 have appeared, which is mathematically impossible under the defined rules. The NTA has attributed these anomalies to a grace marking scheme not mentioned in the pre-exam guidelines.

Identical Scores from the Same Center: There have been complaints that students with consecutive roll numbers from the same center have received identical marks, specifically perfect scores of 720 out of 720. This raises concerns about the integrity of the exam process.

Impact on Admissions: Due to the inflation in ranks, many candidates are forced to seek admission in private colleges, a consequence of the NTA's policies, such as a marked reduction in syllabus. Critics argue that the NMC and NTA are collectively privatizing medical education under the Modi government, posing a threat to the country's future.

The SFI has demanded an immediate, transparent, and impartial investigation into these incidents. They call for the NTA to be scrapped and for all its past scams to be thoroughly investigated. SFI has also urged the student community across the country to unite against the centralization of education through the NTA.

Read more:

• NTA Confirms No Re-exam for 25 Lakh NEET UG 2024 Students, Forms Committee for Grace Marks Review
• Petition Filed in Supreme Court Over NTA’s Controversial Grace Marks in NEET UG 2024