‘Entire NEET Paper Solved In 45 Minutes Before Exam?’: Supreme Court To Centre

New Delhi :The Supreme Court of India deliberated on Thursday over multiple petitions demanding a re-test or cancellation of the 2024 NEET-UG, the entrance exam for undergraduate medical courses. The court expressed serious reservations regarding the stance taken by the Centre and the National Testing Agency (NTA), especially concerning claims that the paper leak occurred merely 45 minutes before the exam in certain centers.

Concerns Raised by the Bench

A bench led by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud questioned whether it was plausible for all 180 questions to be solved within such a short window before the exam commenced at 10:15 AM. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the NTA, informed the court that according to CBI investigations, unauthorized photographs of the question papers were taken between 8 AM and 9:20 AM at a center in Hazaribagh, Jharkhand.

Petitioners’ Allegations and Court’s Observations

Senior advocate Narender Hooda, appearing for the petitioners, argued vehemently for the exam’s cancellation, citing systemic failures in its conduct. He alleged that question papers were compromised during transportation and pointed to lapses involving a private courier company. However, Mehta dismissed claims of a widespread leak and emphasized the stringent security measures in place.

Court’s Decision and Future Steps

After a day-long hearing, the Supreme Court scheduled the next hearing for July 22, underscoring the social implications of the case and the anxieties of millions of students awaiting clarity on the exam results.

Conclusion

The controversy surrounding the NEET-UG 2024 intensified with allegations of question paper leaks and discrepancies in the award of ‘grace marks’. The court’s decision on whether to order a re-test hinges on whether the “sanctity” of the exam was significantly compromised, emphasizing the need for concrete evidence of widespread malpractice.