Supreme Court Refuses to Halt NEET-UG 2024 Counseling; Orders Re-Exam for 1,563 Students

The National Testing Agency (NTA) informed the court that scorecards of 1,563 NEET-UG 2024 candidates, who were previously awarded grace marks, have been canceled.

The Supreme Court of India has refused to bar the ongoing NEET-UG 2024 counseling process despite multiple petitions challenging the legitimacy of the examination results. The apex court, during the hearing, emphasized the importance of proceeding with the counseling and admissions without delay, questioning, “Why should we delay counseling and admission?”

The National Testing Agency (NTA) informed the court that scorecards of 1,563 NEET-UG 2024 candidates, who were previously awarded grace marks, have been canceled. These students, who were granted compensatory marks due to receiving less exam time, will now have the option to retake the exam on June 23, 2024. Their results are expected to be announced before June 30, 2024.

The Supreme Court noted that the petitioners raised concerns under Article 32, contesting the normalization formula used to award grace marks. The NTA formed a committee to reassess this decision, which subsequently recommended canceling the affected scorecards and withdrawing the compensatory marks.

“These candidates will be informed of their actual scores, without compensatory marks. A re-exam will be conducted for the affected 1,563 candidates. Results of those who don’t wish to re-appear will be declared based on their actual marks,” the SC Bench observed.

The NTA, represented by Kanu Agarwal, assured that the re-test notification would be issued today to ensure the re-exam on June 23, with results declared promptly to avoid disrupting the counseling process scheduled for July.

In its judgment, the Supreme Court acknowledged the Union’s stance on the matter and scheduled a hearing for July 8, 2024, to address allegations of unfair means and procedural lapses.

Allegations of NEET UG 2024 Paper Leak and Center Manipulations

The petitioners have accused the NTA of mishandling the examination process, including claims of a paper leak and manipulations at exam centers during NEET-UG 2024. Concerns were raised about candidates from states like Odisha, Karnataka, and Jharkhand opting for an exam center in Godhra, Gujarat, allegedly due to these manipulations.

Police investigations have revealed that leaked papers were circulated on Telegram channels a day before the exam. Despite police probes and arrests, the NTA has denied any paper leak, raising questions about its commitment to a fair examination process.

"The NTA's refusal to acknowledge the leaks despite the evidence raises serious concerns about its ability to conduct secure and transparent examinations," the petitioners argued.

The Economic and Cyber Crimes Division of the Bihar Police, now handling the investigation, has arrested thirteen individuals, including four candidates. The leaked question paper was allegedly solved at a hostel and school in Patna, with remnants of the burnt papers recovered as evidence. Investigations suggest a possible connection between an organized solver gang and the beneficiaries.

The Supreme Court’s refusal to halt the counseling process marks a critical juncture in the NEET-UG 2024 controversy, as the investigation into the alleged irregularities continues.