Centre Opposes Cancellation of NEET-UG 2024, Tells Supreme Court Scrapping Exam Will Affect Lakhs

The Union Government has submitted an affidavit to the Supreme Court, arguing against the cancellation of the NEET-UG 2024 exam. The government stated that it is not reasonable to cancel the entire exam without any evidence of a widespread breach of confidentiality.

The affidavit, filed by the Union Ministry of Education before the Supreme Court hearing on July 8, emphasized that canceling the exam would harm the many honest candidates who took the test in 2024. The Ministry acknowledged that genuine concerns based on proven facts should be addressed but argued that the requests to cancel the exam and conduct a re-test based on mere assumptions should be dismissed.

The Ministry assured the Court that it is dedicated to conducting all competitive exams fairly and transparently. It promised strict action against any wrongdoers if it is found that the exam papers’ confidentiality was compromised.

The Ministry stated, “In the absence of any proof of a large-scale breach of confidentiality in a nationwide exam, it would not be rational to cancel the entire exam and the results already declared. In any exam, there are competing rights, and the interests of many students who took the exam honestly should not be jeopardized. Canceling the exam entirely would seriously harm the lakhs of honest candidates who attempted the question paper in 2024.”

Regarding allegations of impersonation, cheating, and other malpractices, the Ministry informed the Court that the CBI has been asked to conduct a thorough investigation. Additionally, a high-level committee has been formed to suggest measures for the effective, smooth, and transparent conduct of exams by the National Testing Agency (NTA). This committee has begun its discussions and is inviting public suggestions for reform measures.

The Ministry also informed the Court that the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, which deals with cheating and paper leaks in public exams, has been in effect since June 21.

The Ministry clarified that the affidavit filed is only preliminary and does not address every argument made by the petitioners in detail. It reserved the right to file a more detailed affidavit later.

A bench led by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud will hear multiple petitions seeking the cancellation of NEET-UG 2024 on July 8. The petitioners claim that the exam’s integrity was compromised due to question paper leaks. Meanwhile, other petitions have been filed by candidates opposing the re-test, arguing that honest students should not be punished for the actions of a few.

The Centre’s preliminary affidavit was filed in the case of Shivangi Mishra and others v. National Testing Agency and others, in which the Supreme Court issued a notice on June 11. During the June 11 hearing, a vacation bench of the Court remarked that it needed answers from the Centre and the NTA regarding the exam’s integrity but refused to halt the counseling process.

The NTA has also filed a similar affidavit, stating that there was no systemic failure in NEET-UG 2024 and that instances of paper leaks and unfair means were isolated.