In a significant development, 20 students who appeared for the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (Undergraduate) 2024 have filed a plea seeking a re-examination. The plea has also requested a direction to the National Testing Agency (NTA) and other authorities to conduct the test afresh due to alleged irregularities and fraudulent practices.
Key Points from the Plea and Court Proceedings:
- Request for Re-Examination:
- The students’ plea argues that rampant irregularities and fraudulent practices necessitate a re-examination to ensure that only deserving students gain admission to medical institutions.
- The plea highlights that the sanctity of the examination is questionable due to confirmed cases of question paper leaks, with FIRs lodged and several arrests made, according to media reports.
- Supreme Court’s Response:
- On Friday, the Supreme Court sought responses from the Centre and the NTA regarding a separate plea for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into allegations of question paper leaks and other irregularities.
- The fresh plea, drawn by advocate Dheeraj Singh, emphasizes the need for a thorough investigation by the CBI or an independent agency under the court’s supervision.
- Concerns Over Examination Results:
- The plea points out that 67 candidates scored the maximum possible marks (720 out of 720) in the NEET-UG 2024, an extraordinary increase in high scores.
- It calls for a post-exam analysis, including academic background checks and forensic analysis, of candidates who scored 620 and above.
- Allegations of Question Paper Leaks and Fraudulent Practices:
- There have been allegations of question paper leaks in states like Bihar, leading to protests and the filing of petitions in various high courts and the Supreme Court.
- The plea underscores the necessity for effective steps to ensure transparency and fairness in future NEET-UG examinations to address concerns related to fraudulent practices, impersonation, and unfair means.
- NTA and Centre’s Position:
- The Centre and the NTA informed the Supreme Court that they had cancelled the grace marks given to 1,563 candidates who took the examination. These candidates will have the option to either retake the test or forgo the compensatory marks awarded to them for the loss of time during the exam.
- The NEET-UG 2024 examination was conducted on May 5 across 4,750 centers, with around 24 lakh candidates participating. The results were announced on June 4, earlier than the expected date of June 14, due to the early completion of answer sheet evaluations.
- Protests and Demand for Investigation:
- Allegations of irregularities have led to protests in several cities, including Delhi, where students protested on June 10, seeking a probe into the alleged irregularities.
- The unprecedented number of top scores, including six from a single center in Faridabad, has raised suspicions of irregularities, with allegations that grace marks contributed to the high scores.
The NEET-UG examination, conducted by the NTA, is a critical gateway for admissions to MBBS, BDS, AYUSH, and other related courses in government and private institutions across India. The current allegations and subsequent legal actions underscore the importance of maintaining the integrity and fairness of this prestigious examination.
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