NEET-UG Exam Controversy: Supreme Court Orders Disclosure on Paper Leak, Retest if Necessary

In a significant development, the Supreme Court of India has directed the National Testing Agency (NTA) to provide a detailed report on the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test-Undergraduate (NEET-UG) paper leak by July 11. The report must include information on the nature of the leak, the locations where it occurred, and the time gap between the leak and the conduct of the exam. The apex court has also asked the central government and the NTA to respond to specific queries, including when the leak first took place, how the leaked question papers were disseminated, and the duration between the leak and the exam on May 5, 2024.

The Supreme Court’s order came after a hearing on the controversy surrounding the pan-India medical entrance examination, which has been marred by allegations of malpractices, mass question paper leaks, and cheating. Chief Justice DY Chandrachud emphasized that before deciding on ordering a retest, the court needs to understand the nature of the leak. “We must understand what is the nature of the leak. Asking 23 lakh students to appear for a retest is tough. First, we would like to know the entire process. Second, the nature of FIRs. Third, the point of time when the leak took place and how the leak disseminated,” he said.

The court has also asked the government to set up a multi-disciplinary team of experts to ensure that measures are taken to prevent any further breach in the NEET-UG exam. Additionally, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has been asked to submit a status report on the probe into the paper leak cases.

The Supreme Court is also hearing a separate plea from over 50 successful Gujarat-based NEET-UG candidates, who are seeking a direction to restrain the Centre and the NTA from cancelling the exam. The court’s directions have sparked hopes that a retest may be ordered if the sanctity of the NEET-UG, 2024 exam is lost due to the leak, which has been propagated through social media. The court will hear the matter further on July 11.