A panel led by Chief Justice of India (CJI) D.Y. Chandrachud addressed over 40 petitions alleging irregularities and malpractices during the NEET-UG 2024 medical entrance exam on Thursday. The Supreme Court directed the National Testing Agency (NTA) to declare center-wise and city-wise results of NEET-UG 2024 by 12 noon on July 20, with students’ identities masked. This decision brings anticipation and relief among aspiring medical students nationwide. The SC will resume hearing arguments on July 22 on petitions seeking cancellation, a re-test, and a court-monitored probe into alleged large-scale malpractices during the May 5 exam.
During the day-long hearing, the bench asked the counsel for aspirants to substantiate their claims of extensive irregularities, including a question paper leak, warranting cancellation and re-test. The court noted that the alleged question paper leak seemed limited to Patna and Hazaribagh, with no evidence of such issues in Godhra, Gujarat. The bench emphasized the need for concrete proof that the paper leak was systemic and affected the entire examination to warrant a re-examination. The CBI is currently probing the allegations, and the SC is cautious about revealing details that could impact the investigation. The NEET-UG, conducted by NTA, is a crucial exam for admissions to MBBS, BDS, AYUSH, and other related courses across India, with over 23.33 lakh students participating on May 5.
