The NEET-UG 2024 results have caused a stir, with thousands of candidates securing unusually high marks and 67 students achieving a perfect score of 720. This unprecedented outcome has ignited anger, protests, and widespread allegations of cheating across India.
The National Eligibility Cum Entrance Test (Undergraduate), or NEET-UG, is the mandatory qualifying examination for admission to undergraduate medical programs in India. Conducted by the National Testing Agency, a government body responsible for administering several high-stakes national exams, NEET-UG attracts millions of aspirants annually. However, only a few candidates typically secure marks high enough to secure a coveted seat in a medical college. This year's surreal results saw an unusually large number of candidates achieving top scores. This bizarre situation has disrupted the ranking system, making it increasingly challenging even for high-scorers to secure admissions, as the cut-off marks for college placements have been skewed by the influx of top performers.
Amid allegations of irregularities and inflated scores in the National Eligibility Cum Entrance Test (NEET-UG) for medical admissions, the National Testing Agency (NTA), which conducts the exam, is re-evaluating the marks. The NTA has acknowledged that its decision to award grace marks to 1,563 candidates was a mistake and has withdrawn the compensatory marks awarded to make up for lost time during the exam. Admitting its error before the Supreme Court, the NTA has decided to conduct a fresh test for these 1,563 students on June 23, offering them a re-test opportunity in light of the rescinded grace marks.
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has leveled serious allegations against the central government, accusing it of being complicit in a scam related to the NEET-UG examination, claiming that at certain examination centers, students were instructed to leave their Optical Mark Recognition (OMR) sheets blank, which were allegedly filled later by teachers. These explosive allegations have triggered strong protests and widespread demands for the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) investigation into the matter.
However, on Wednesday, the Supreme Court refused to halt the NEET counselling process scheduled for July 6th and declined to order an immediate CBI probe into the allegations. The bench emphasized the importance of timely action by the authorities, noting the hard work students invest in their exams and the need to protect their interests. "Even if there is 0.001% negligence on anyone's part, it should be thoroughly addressed. These matters should not be treated as adversarial litigation," the bench stated. The NTA was also reprimanded and urged to take a firm stand and acknowledge any mistakes made during the exam.
