Supreme Court to Decide Fate of NEET-UG 2024 Today Amidst Paper Leak Allegations

Both the Central Government and the National Testing Agency (NTA) have filed affidavits denying any widespread leak in the examination.

The Supreme Court of India is poised to make a crucial decision today regarding the future of the NEET-UG 2024 examination, amidst serious allegations of a paper leak. This ruling could significantly impact nearly 24 lakh students who appeared for the exam.

Government and NTA Deny Widespread Leak

Both the Central Government and the National Testing Agency (NTA) have filed affidavits denying any widespread leak in the examination. The NTA contends that videos circulating on Telegram, purportedly showing leaked NEET-UG 2024 papers, are fabricated and manipulated. This assertion is backed by an affidavit submitted to the Supreme Court.

The Union Government's affidavit referenced data analytics performed by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras. The analysis indicated that the marks distribution of the NEET-UG 2024 exam followed a typical bell-shaped curve, suggesting no irregularities. According to the IIT Madras report, there were no signs of mass leakage or any localized benefit to specific candidates, dismissing claims of widespread fraud.

Key Findings from IIT Madras Report:

• The marks distribution aligns with a normal bell curve.
• City-wise and center-wise analysis for 2023 and 2024 revealed no abnormal patterns.
• An increase in marks in the 550-720 range was due to a 25% reduction in syllabus, not due to a leak.

Telegram Video Allegations

The NTA has addressed the allegations surrounding the leaked paper videos on Telegram, asserting that the timestamps were altered to falsely indicate an early leak. Evidence provided includes a demonstration of how digital image dates can be manipulated, further discrediting the leak claims.

Court's Previous Observations

During the last hearing, Chief Justice DY Chandrachud emphasized the need to determine the systemic nature of the leak and its impact on the integrity of the NEET UG exam. The court suggested that a retest might be necessary if the exam's integrity was significantly compromised. However, a retest would be considered a last resort due to the logistical challenges and impact on millions of students.

CBI Investigation

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is expected to submit its findings later today. Preliminary reports suggest that the alleged paper leak was localized rather than extensive. This finding is anticipated to provide further clarity on the extent and nature of the breach.

Upcoming NEET Counseling and Steps Forward

The Centre has outlined steps to maintain the integrity of the exam, emphasizing a robust process for conducting fair and transparent examinations. The counseling process for NEET-UG 2024 will commence in the third week of July, with strict measures in place to cancel the candidature of any individual found guilty of malpractice at any stage.

High-Level Committee and Public Examination Act

In response to the controversy, the Central Government has formed a High-Level Committee headed by Dr. K. Radhakrishnan, former Chairman of ISRO. This committee aims to recommend comprehensive examination reforms and restructure the NTA, enhancing data security protocols and optimizing organizational procedures. The committee's findings are expected within two months.

Additionally, the Ministry of Education has enacted the Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, to curb cheating, impersonation, and breaches of trust in public examinations.

Awaiting the Supreme Court's Decision

As the nation awaits the Supreme Court's decision, the implications for the NEET-UG 2024 examination and the future of competitive exams in India remain significant. The court will evaluate the feasibility of a retest based on the extent of the leak and the ability to segregate students involved in malpractice from those who were not.

Today's ruling will be pivotal in determining the future of medical admissions in India, potentially setting a precedent for handling large-scale examination controversies.