NEET UG 2024: The Supreme Court of India began hearing petitions concerning the NEET-UG 2024 medical entrance exam, following allegations of paper leaks and malpractices during the exam held on May 5. The hearing is critical for thousands of medical aspirants awaiting the court’s decision.
Petitions and Allegations
Over 40 petitions have been filed, with requests including:
- Cancellation of the entire NEET-UG 2024 exam
- Re-test for a fair and secure examination
- Investigation into alleged irregularities
The hearing is being presided over by a bench that includes Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra. This follows a previous observation by the top court on July 8 that the sanctity of the NEET-UG 2024 exam may have been “breached.”
NEET UG 2024: Government’s Position
The government, in its defense, presented an analysis by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras, which found no substantial evidence of widespread irregularities or unfair advantages for specific candidates. The government’s affidavit also indicated that the distribution of marks followed a typical bell-shaped curve, a common pattern in large-scale examinations.
Arguments in Court
The NTA counsel argued that a Telegram video alleging a NEET-UG paper leak was fake. The Solicitor General supported this claim, stating, “Telegram channel has an inbuilt feature that if there is a change, it will be reflected. The Solicitor General argued that the Telegram video alleging a NEET-UG paper leak was circulated after the exam, as indicated by the platform’s inbuilt feature reflecting changes. However, Mr. Hooda countered that while the content on Telegram can be altered, the timestamp cannot. He pointed out flaws in the NTA’s argument, emphasizing that the video did not surface after the exam as claimed.”
Transportation Issues
Hooda claimed that exam papers were transported in an e-rickshaw without a guard. The Solicitor General clarified that these were OMR sheets, not question papers.
Chief Justice DY Chandrachud questioned Hooda about the widespread and systemic nature of the alleged leak. Hooda argued that the exam’s failure was multi-dimensional, citing compromised transportation of question papers, six days with a private courier, and papers transported via e-rickshaw in Hazaribag. He provided photos and evidence of papers circulating on Telegram by May 4, alleging the Principal involved was arrested by the CBI.
Crucial Outcome
The outcome of today’s hearing is crucial for thousands of medical aspirants awaiting a decision on the fate of NEET-UG 2024. The court’s decision will have significant implications for the integrity of the examination process and the future of many aspiring medical students.
