Supreme Court to Address NEET Cancellation and Re-Exam Requests Today

The Supreme Court of India is set to hear a series of petitions today concerning the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test, Undergraduate (NEET UG) 2024, which was held on May 5th. The court proceedings are in response to allegations of irregularities during the exam, including claims of a paper leak and other malpractices.

A total of 38 petitions have been filed, with many demanding a complete re-examination. These concerns gained momentum after the NEET results were released on June 4th, revealing an unusually high number of top scorers – over 60 students. This sparked protests from students and unions who believe the exam’s integrity was compromised.

Adding to the controversy, several students gathered at the Education Minister’s residence, calling for his resignation. In response to the mounting pressure, the government formed a high-level committee to investigate the allegations and propose solutions for ensuring fair and transparent examinations conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA).

The case was subsequently handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on June 23rd. The CBI has initiated its investigation, resulting in several arrests related to the alleged malpractices.

The Supreme Court bench, consisting of Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, will hear arguments from both sides. The NTA and the Education Ministry have already submitted affidavits opposing the cancellation of the NEET exam, arguing that such a move would be detrimental.

The NEET-UG exam is crucial for students aspiring to pursue medical and related courses like MBBS, BDS, and AYUSH in both government and private institutions across India. The Supreme Court’s decision on this matter will have significant implications for the future of these aspiring medical professionals.