NEET-UG controversy: Grace marks for 1563 candidates withdrawn, Centre informs SC.
A record 67 students scored perfect 720 in NEET-UG, with six from a single center in Haryana’s Faridabad, raising suspicions about potential irregularities in the examination process.
New Delhi: NEET-UG Grace Marks Controversy Leads to Re-Test Option
The Centre on Thursday informed the Supreme Court that the decision to award grace marks to 1,563 NEET-UG 2024 candidates for admission to MBBS, BDS, and other courses has been cancelled. Instead, these candidates will be offered the option to take a re-test on June 23.
A vacation bench consisting of justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta was briefed by the counsel representing the Centre and the National Testing Agency (NTA). They confirmed that the candidates who were initially given grace marks will now have the opportunity to take the NEET-UG re-test. This decision follows widespread concerns and allegations of irregularities in the examination process.
The Supreme Court was assured that the counselling process for admissions would not be halted. Candidates from the group of 1,563 who choose not to take the re-test will have their previous NEET-UG marks, excluding the grace marks, considered for the purposes of the results.
This timeline aims to ensure minimal disruption to the overall admission process.
Taking note of these submissions, the bench decided that all related pleas, including one filed by Alakh Pandey, the chief executive of the EdTech firm Physics Wallah, regarding the issue of awarding grace marks, will be heard on July 8.
The NEET-UG examination, conducted by the NTA on May 5 across 4,750 centres, saw the participation of approximately 24 lakh candidates. The results, originally expected to be announced on June 14, were released earlier on June 4 because the evaluation of answer sheets was completed ahead of schedule.
The decision to cancel the grace marks and offer a re-test stems from suspicions and allegations that have plagued this year’s NEET-UG. Notably, a record number of 67 students scored a perfect 720, an unprecedented occurrence in the NTA’s history. Among these, six students from a single centre in Haryana’s Faridabad have raised concerns about potential irregularities.
Allegations such as the question paper leak and the granting of grace marks to over 1,500 medical aspirants have led to protests and the filing of cases in seven high courts as well as the Supreme Court. The NEET-UG has become a focal point of contention, with multiple stakeholders seeking clarity and fairness in the examination process.
The NEET-UG re-test on June 23 aims to address these concerns by providing a fair opportunity to the affected candidates. The Centre’s decision reflects an effort to maintain the integrity of the NEET-UG and ensure that the admission process remains transparent and just.
As the situation unfolds, the NEET-UG controversy continues to attract significant attention. The Supreme Court’s involvement underscores the gravity of the allegations and the need for a resolution that upholds the principles of fairness and merit.
The upcoming hearings on July 8 will be crucial in determining the future course of action for NEET-UG 2024. The outcome will likely set a precedent for how such issues are managed in the future, ensuring that the NEET-UG examination remains a credible and reliable pathway for aspiring medical professionals.
In summary, the NEET-UG controversy involving the cancellation of grace marks for 1,563 candidates and the subsequent re-test option is a significant development in the ongoing saga. The Centre and the NTA’s response, along with the Supreme Court’s oversight, highlight the importance of maintaining the integrity and fairness of the NEET-UG examination process. As stakeholders await the results of the re-test and the upcoming hearings, the NEET-UG remains at the forefront of discussions in the education and legal spheres.
As many as 67 students scored a perfect 720 in the NEET-UG, an unprecedented occurrence in the NTA’s history. Among these top scorers, six students from a single centre in Haryana’s Faridabad have raised suspicions about potential irregularities in the NEET-UG examination process. This unusual clustering of perfect scores has led to widespread concerns about the integrity of the NEET-UG results.
Scores of students protested in Delhi on June 10, demanding a thorough probe into the alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG. These protests have highlighted allegations that grace marks might have contributed to the 67 students sharing the top rank in the NEET-UG. The controversy surrounding the NEET-UG has put immense pressure on the National Testing Agency (NTA) to address these concerns and ensure the fairness of the examination process.
The NEET-UG examination is a critical assessment conducted by the NTA for admissions to MBBS, BDS, AYUSH, and other related courses in government and private institutions across the country. Given its significance, any irregularities in the NEET-UG can have far-reaching implications for the future of aspiring medical students.
In light of the allegations and the unusual number of perfect scores, the Centre informed the Supreme Court that the decision to award grace marks to 1,563 NEET-UG 2024 candidates has been cancelled. Instead, these candidates will be given the option to take a re-test on June 23. The re-test aims to ensure that the NEET-UG maintains its credibility and that the admission process is fair and transparent.
The NEET-UG results have always been a crucial determinant for students aspiring to enter medical and related fields. Therefore, maintaining the integrity of the NEET-UG is of utmost importance. As the controversy unfolds, all eyes remain on the NEET-UG and the steps taken by the authorities to address the allegations and restore trust in the examination system.