The controversy surrounding the NEET-UG 2024 results has escalated, with serious allegations of a paper leak and discrepancies in the scoring process. Multiple NEET applicants claimed that anomalies and mark inflation resulted in 67 candidates—six of whom came from the same test center—sharing the top spot. These claims have raised significant concerns about the authenticity of the examination process.
NTA Director’s Reaffirmation
NTA Director General Subodh Kumar firmly denied any paper leak during a news conference. He stated that the integrity of the exam was not compromised and that the issues were confined to just six of the 4,750 exam venues. Kumar also mentioned that the Education Ministry has assembled a group to reevaluate the results of over 1,500 students, which may lead to amending the results of those who received grace marks.
Supreme Court Intervenes
In a recent development, the Supreme Court has issued a notice to the Centre and the NTA following a petition seeking to cancel the NEET-UG 2024 results. The petitioners have alleged discrepancies in the scores and claimed preferential treatment towards certain students. The court emphasized that the sanctity of the examination has been affected and demanded answers from the NTA. However, the court allowed the counselling for admissions to continue, scheduling the next hearing for July 8.
Petitioners’ Claims and Demands
The petitioners, hailing from Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, have highlighted inconsistencies in the grant of grace marks, for which they argue there is “no defined logic.” They pointed out that the provisional answer key released by the NTA had been contested by over 13,000 students. Additionally, the petitioners noted that 67 students from a particular coaching centre achieved a perfect score of 720, which they argue is “statistically impossible.”
The petitioners are urging the court to cancel the May 5 exam scores and conduct a fresh examination. They underscored the dangers of cheating in medical exams, stating that it undermines meritocracy and equal opportunities, potentially endangering lives by allowing incompetent individuals to enter the medical field.
NTA’s Defense and Future Actions
Despite the allegations, Kumar guaranteed that there was no compromise to the exam’s integrity nationwide. He reiterated that there was no paper leak, maintaining the transparency of the NTA’s procedures. The NTA is expected to cooperate with the ongoing investigation and provide the necessary answers during the next court hearing.
