Medical Colleges Invited to Enter Seats Amidst Ongoing NEET UG Controversy
On July 16, despite ongoing disputes regarding the National Testing Agency (NTA) and NEET UG, the Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) issued a notice to medical colleges to input their seat details on the official portal – mcc.nic.in. This development comes as the Supreme Court prepares to address nearly 40 petitions related to the NEET issue.
Supreme Court Evaluates Need for NEET-UG 2024 Retake
During today’s hearing, the Supreme Court emphasized that any decision to conduct NEET-UG 2024 anew must be based on substantial evidence that the integrity of the entire medical entrance examination was compromised. According to Live Law, the counsel representing the petitioners argued that the NTA attributed the inflation of marks to a reduction in the syllabus, yet there were both increases and decreases in the syllabus. The counsel highlighted, “They are not discussing the increased portions. I can demonstrate the additions.”
Concerns Over NEET Question Paper Distribution
The judges raised concerns about the dissemination of NEET question papers. Chief Justice of India (CJI) Chandrachud remarked, “The intent behind such actions is not to create a nationwide mockery of the NEET exam. The perpetrators were motivated by financial gain. Therefore, anyone profiting from it would not circulate it on a large scale.” He further questioned, “Does someone pay 75,000 for just 45 minutes?”
Possible Scenarios of NEET Paper Leak
CJI Chandrachud outlined two potential scenarios for the NEET paper leak: “First, the paper could have been leaked before it was in the custody of banks, implying it happened before May 3. Second, the leak might have occurred after the papers left the banks and were en route to the examination centers.”
Analysis of Marks Inflation and Examination City Changes
While examining the issues of marks inflation and the alleged paper leak, the Supreme Court requested the NTA to provide data on students who changed their exam cities. Specifically, they sought information on how many of these students ranked within the top 1.08 lakh and whether there was any bias towards those who registered on April 9 and 10.
Allegations of Irregularities in NEET Examination
The Supreme Court is currently reviewing approximately 40 petitions concerning alleged irregularities in the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (Undergraduate). The counsel for the petitioners pointed out inconsistencies in the IIT Madras report submitted to the court. “One Hardayal School from Bahadurgarh has a peculiar case…there were six individuals involved…The situation in Bahadurgarh is particularly striking. The NTA never disclosed that the question paper collected from Canara Bank was distributed. There was no delay in collection. The school principal confirmed that papers were collected from both SBI and Canara Bank,” argued Hooda, according to LiveLaw.
Supreme Court’s Directive to Petitioners
CJI Chandrachud addressed the petitioners, stating, “You must demonstrate that the leak was systemic and affected the entire examination to justify canceling the entire test. A re-examination must be based on solid evidence that the sanctity of the entire test was compromised.”
Ongoing CBI Investigation and Confidentiality Concerns
The Supreme Court also acknowledged the ongoing investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The CJI noted that revealing details provided by the agency could jeopardize the investigation and alert potential perpetrators.
CBI’s Progress in NEET UG Paper Leak Case
The CBI has interrogated three students from AIIMS Patna concerning the NEET UG paper leak. However, further details about the interrogation remain undisclosed, as per PTI.
Conclusion
As the Supreme Court continues to deliberate on the multiple petitions related to NEET UG 2024, the focus remains on ensuring the fairness and integrity of the examination process. The developments in the case highlight significant concerns over paper leaks, marks inflation, and the procedural transparency of the NTA. The outcome of these hearings will have far-reaching implications for the future conduct of NEET and the trust in India’s medical entrance examinations.