NEET UG 2024 Exam Leak: Supreme Court to Determine Extent of Compromise Before Deciding on Retest

In a significant development, the Supreme Court has taken cognizance of the massive leak of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) Undergraduate 2024, which has compromised the sanctity of the exam. A Bench comprising Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud, Justice JB Pardiwala, and Justice Manoj Misra has emphasized that the extent of the leak will play a crucial role in deciding whether a retest is necessary or not.

The CJI, while addressing the court, acknowledged that the exam’s integrity has been compromised, but emphasized that the consequences of the leak depend on its nature. “If the leak is not extensive, then there is no need for cancellation. Before we order a retest, we must be cautious, as we are dealing with the careers of 23 lakh students,” he said.

The Court also acknowledged that irregularities did occur during the exam this year, and urged against self-denial, stating that it would only exacerbate the problem. “Let us not be in self-denial. Self-denial is only adding to the problem,” the CJI remarked.

To determine whether a retest is warranted, the Court has set out three key parameters. Firstly, it will examine whether the alleged breach occurred at a systemic level. Secondly, it will assess whether the breach affected the integrity of the entire exam process. Thirdly, it will consider whether it is possible to segregate students who benefited from the fraud from those who did not.

If the breach is widespread and it is not possible to identify and separate tainted and untainted candidates, a retest may be ordered. However, if the beneficiaries of the fraud can be identified and limited, a retest may not be necessary.

To aid its decision-making, the Court has sought specific information from the National Testing Agency (NTA), which conducted the exam. The NTA has been asked to provide details on when the leak first occurred, how the question papers were disseminated, and the time duration between the leak and the exam on May 5.

The Court’s stance is clear: a retest will only be ordered if the breach is extensive and it is not possible to segregate the affected students. If the beneficiaries of the fraud can be identified and limited, a retest will not be necessary. The fate of 23 lakh students hangs in the balance, and the Supreme Court’s decision will have far-reaching consequences for their academic and professional futures.