NEET UG 2024 SC Hearing Tomorrow: Will the Supreme Court Order a Retest?

The Supreme Court of India is set to deliver its verdict tomorrow, July 11, on the contentious National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) UG 2024, which has been marred by allegations of question paper leaks, “grace marks,” and concerns over the integrity of the examination process. The main question on everyone’s mind is whether the apex court will order a retest for the nearly 23 lakh students who took the exam.

The controversy surrounding NEET UG 2024 began on May 5, when the National Testing Agency (NTA) conducted the exam across India and a few centers abroad. However, it wasn’t until June 4, when the results were declared, that the first whispers of irregularities began to surface. A petition alleging irregularities in the medical examination was filed, raising concerns about a possible question paper leak. The situation took a dramatic turn when 67 students topped the examination with a perfect score of 720, sparking rumors of “grace marks” being awarded to some students.

As the controversy intensified, students and their parents took to the streets, demanding a revaluation of the answer sheets. Political leaders also joined the chorus, calling for a thorough investigation. On June 11, the Supreme Court issued a notice to NTA and the Central Government, seeking their response to the allegations. The court subsequently ordered a retest for 1,563 students who received “grace marks” on June 14.

However, the Union Education Minister denied allegations of corruption surrounding the NEET examination and agreed to cooperate with the investigation. On June 15, a new petition was filed in the Apex Court demanding a revaluation of all the answer sheets. The Education Minister later conceded to the irregularities in the NEET examination, acknowledging a lapse in the security protocol.

The Supreme Court has outlined three key parameters to decide whether a retest is necessary: whether the alleged breach occurred at a systemic level, whether it affects the integrity of the examination process, and whether it is possible to segregate the beneficiaries of the fraud from the untainted students. If the breach is widespread and it is not possible to distinguish between the tainted and untainted candidates, the court may order a retest.

Chief Justice DY Chandrachud emphasized during the hearing that ordering a retest for nearly 23 lakh students would be a last resort, citing the financial burden it would place on families, many of whom come from poor backgrounds. The court has emphasized the need for a thorough investigation and a full-disclosure report before reaching a final decision.

The Supreme Court’s verdict tomorrow will have far-reaching consequences for the students who took the exam. Will the court order a retest, or will it opt for a different solution? Only time will tell.