In a pivotal decision, the Supreme Court has dismissed petitions demanding the cancellation of the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) for Undergraduates (UG) 2024. The petitions, which alleged a paper leak and irregularities, sought a re-test of the exam. However, the Supreme Court found no substantial evidence of systemic breaches or result manipulation.
A three-judge bench, including Chief Justice Dr. DY Chandrachud, Justices JB Pardiwala, and Manoj Misra, ruled against a re-examination, highlighting the potential upheaval it could cause for over 2.4 million students. The judges emphasized the severe impact on the admission schedule, medical education, and the availability of future medical professionals. They also noted the particular disadvantage this could pose to marginalized groups benefiting from reservation policies.
The Court also addressed concerns regarding a disputed multiple-choice question, where the National Testing Agency (NTA) had awarded marks for two answers. An expert committee from IIT Delhi was consulted, and the Court upheld their conclusion that only one option, option 4, should be considered correct. Consequently, the NTA has been instructed to adjust the scores based on this decision.
This ruling solidifies the results of NEET UG 2024, ensuring that the current academic year’s timeline and structure remain unaffected.
