By – Prakarsh Kastwar
In the middle of the NEET-UG debate, the Supreme Court sent a warning to the Center and the National Testing Agency (NTA). The notice was issued in response to a plea calling for a CBI investigation into accusations of question paper leaks and other irregularities in the National Eligibility Cum Entrance Test-Undergraduate, 2024. Aside from that, the court has issued notice to all parties on the National Examination Agency’s petition for the transfer of petitions from various High Courts to the Supreme Court. The petition will be heard on July 8.
What was said by the bench ?
The case was heard by a vacation bench of Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta. During this, it took note of the National Testing Agency (NTA) lawyer’s position that multiple applications seeking cancellation of NEET-UG on the basis of claims of question paper leaks and other irregularities are pending in various High Courts.
“We are issuing notice,” the bench stated. These hearings will take place on July 8. Meanwhile, the NTA stated that it intended to drop three other petitions requesting the transfer of cases from the high courts to the Supreme Court, which were connected to the grant of grace marks to 1,563 candidates due to time loss during the May 5 examination.
What did the NTA’s lawyer argue ?
The NTA’s lawyer stated that the case has been settled and that he will tell the High Court of the decision to annul the grace marks provided to 1,536 candidates, as well as the top court’s June 13 order. In the midst of the current controversy surrounding the NEET-UG exam, the Center and NTA informed the Supreme Court on Thursday that they had annulled the grace marks provided to 1,563 candidates who took the exam for admission to MBBS and other courses.
What was stated yesterday by the Center ?
The Center stated that they would be given the option of retaking the exam or forfeiting their grace marks. The exam was given on May 5 at 4,750 locations. Around 24 lakh candidates took part in it. The results were supposed to be announced on June 14, but due to a rushed investigation, they were announced on June 4. Following this, the dispute began. On June 10, numerous students demonstrated in Delhi, calling for a probe into the alleged irregularities. Protests took occurred in numerous cities. Cases were filed in seven High Courts and the Supreme Court.
Why the outrage over the outcome ?
- Unprecedented in the history of NTA, 67 students achieved all 720 marks.
- This comprised six students from a center in Faridabad, Haryana.
- Following this, suspicions of irregularities began to arise.
- t is claimed that 67 pupils received top rankings because to grace marks.
Understand NEET-UG
The NTA administers the NEET-UG exam to students seeking admission to MBBS, BDS, AYUSH, and other relevant courses at government and private institutions across the country.