“Retest Our Last Option, Panel Must Probe Paper Leak”: Supreme Court On NEET

The Supreme Court has advised caution while hearing petitions for a re-test of the May 5 NEET-UG exam, which was marred by leaked questions and the award of “grace marks” to 1,563 students. The court emphasized that a re-test should only be ordered if there is sufficient time between the leak and the exam, and if the identity of students who cheated cannot be established.

Chief Justice DY Chandrachud led the three-judge bench, which expressed concerns about the impact of a re-test on students from poor families who could not afford to travel to exam centers. The court emphasized that a re-test is the “last option” and should only be considered if necessary. The Chief Justice noted that the sanctity of the exam has been compromised, but the court must be careful while ordering a re-test, as it deals with the careers of lakhs of students.

The court also sought details about the printing process and the time lag between the leak and the exam. It reminded the National Testing Agency (NTA) not to reveal details, as the agency is already being investigated by the CBI and the police. The CBI’s investigation has led to the questioning of individuals and several arrests connected to the case.

Instead of ordering an immediate re-test, the court advised the constitution of a multi-disciplinary panel to probe the issue. The panel will investigate the leak and identify the beneficiaries of the leaked exam. The court also rapped the government for being in “denial” and said it should be “ruthless” in dealing with candidates who paid for the leaked exam and those who supplied the question paper.

The government had earlier submitted an affidavit in the Supreme Court, stating that scrapping the 2024 exam would “seriously jeopardize” the future of lakhs of honest candidates who appeared for it. The court will hear petitions on the issue on Thursday.

The controversy over the NEET-UG exam broke last month after results were declared. The exam was conducted on May 5, and the results showed an unusually high number of perfect scores, with 67 students scoring a maximum 720. Questions were also raised over the award of “grace marks” to 1,563 students. A re-test was held for those students, but hundreds did not appear for the exam.

The incident also triggered a political row, with the opposition Congress-led INDIA bloc attacking the ruling BJP in Parliament, forcing ruckus and chaos in both Houses. The NEET-PG exam has been cancelled, and the NET exam will be held later this month.