Key Points:
- Supreme Court stresses zero tolerance for negligence in NEET-UG exam.
- NTA and Centre directed to respond to petitions regarding exam grievances.
- Grace marks controversy and question paper leaks are major concerns.
In-depth Look: Amid rising concerns over the NEET-UG 2024 exam, the Supreme Court of India has mandated a thorough investigation into any instances of negligence. Highlighting the intense effort students invest in preparing for these exams, the Court underscored the importance of addressing even the slightest error in the examination process. This stance was expressed during a session led by a vacation bench of Justices Vikram Nath and SVN Bhatti.
The National Testing Agency (NTA), responsible for conducting the NEET-UG, is currently under scrutiny due to multiple petitions alleging irregularities, including a controversial grace marks policy and claims of a question paper leak. The Court has insisted that these issues be addressed transparently to maintain trust in the examination system.
The NEET-UG, a crucial entrance test for medical courses in India, was held on May 5 across 4,750 centers with around 24 lakh candidates participating. Despite the exam results being announced earlier than expected on June 4, controversy arose over the award of grace marks to 1,563 candidates due to exam disruptions. The Centre has since canceled these grace marks, offering affected candidates the option of a retest or the forgoing of these marks.
The Supreme Court emphasized the need for immediate and decisive action, instructing the NTA and Centre to file their responses to the fresh petitions within two weeks. The petitions will be reviewed again on July 8, alongside other pending cases seeking a re-conduct of the exam due to the alleged irregularities.
The NTA’s legal representatives were urged to firmly acknowledge any mistakes and outline corrective measures. This approach, the Court noted, is crucial for sustaining public confidence in the integrity of the NEET-UG examination process.
Implications: The Supreme Court’s firm stance highlights the critical need for transparency and accountability in competitive exams like NEET-UG. The ongoing investigation and the NTA’s responses to the allegations will be pivotal in determining the future course of action. This scrutiny is expected to lead to more stringent measures to prevent any malpractice in the examination process, ensuring a fair and merit-based system for all aspirants.
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