Supreme Court Seeks Disclosure on NEET UG Paper Leak, Next Hearing Scheduled for July 11

The Supreme Court has taken a stern stance on the alleged paper leak of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test Undergraduate (NEET UG) 2024, a crucial medical entrance exam. On Monday, the court emphasized that if the integrity of the exam is compromised, a re-test must be considered to ensure the credibility of the results. Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud, leading the bench, warned that if the leak occurred through social media platforms like Telegram, WhatsApp, or other electronic means, it could spread rapidly and undermine the exam’s legitimacy.

The court’s bench, comprising Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud, Justices J B Pardiwala, and Manoj Misra, heard the matter and scheduled the next hearing for July 11. The NEET UG 2024 examination was conducted across hundreds of centers in India on May 5, and the results were declared on June 4, ten days ahead of schedule. The National Testing Agency (NTA), responsible for conducting the exam, awarded full marks to dozens of students, with 67 toppers in the medical exam this year.

However, the results sparked protests and demands for a re-test from students and organizations, who alleged irregularities in the marking system used by NTA. Many students claimed that the paper was leaked at multiple centers, with most of the toppers and high-scorers hailing from a specific region or exam center. The Centre and NTA were asked to provide an explanation for the unusual results, which led to the cancellation of grace marks awarded to 1,563 candidates. These students were given the option to either take a re-test or forgo the compensatory marks awarded for loss of time.

The Supreme Court has now sought disclosure on the paper leak, and the Centre and NTA must provide a detailed explanation on the matter. The court’s decision to seek disclosure is a significant development in the ongoing controversy, which has raised concerns about the integrity of the exam and the credibility of the results. The next hearing is scheduled for July 11, and it remains to be seen how the Centre and NTA will respond to the court’s demands.