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2024 NEET controversy

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The 2024 NEET controversy was caused by multiple discrepancies that occurred in the conduction of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (Undergraduate) (NEET UG) 2024 examination.[1] The examination is one of India’s biggest entrance examinations in terms of applicant numbers and is the sole nationwide examination conducted for admission in undergraduate medical programs. It is conducted by National Testing Agency (NTA).

The declaration of results sparked nationwide concern due to discrepancies including some candidates being awarded 'impossible' scores and an unprecedented rise in the number of candidates scoring full marks. There were allegations of use of unfair means and a suspected paper leak. Many candidates asked to be re-examined.[2]

Background

See also: National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (Undergraduate)

Around 2.4 million candidates across India sat the examination on May 5, 2024.[3] There had been a general trend of increased applicant numbers.[4]

Paper leak incident

A paper scam in Gujarat, featured Vadodara based international education consultant owners and educators, and at least 16 students who each paid Rs 10 lakh to pass the exam[citation needed].

Fresh accusations arose when news reports of a paper leak group emerged only days after conduction of the competitive exam.[5] Buyers reportedly charged prices ranging from 20 to 25 lakhs Indian Rupees, (around 25,000-30,000 USD) for the examination papers at Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan Mehta Vidyalaya.[5] Also, at one centre in Rajasthan, named Girls Higher Secondary Adarsh Vidya Mandir, Mantown, Sawai Madhopur, the Hindi medium students claimed that they were handed English medium question papers, instead of Hindi ones.[6]

Result scrutiny

The suspicions regarding a paper leak increased when the NEET results were declared 10 days prior to the date when the NTA's information bulletin said they were due to be released, and coinciding with the publication of the 2024 Indian general election.[7] The NEET-UG scores were also released by the NTA only hours after the release of its official Answer Key.[8]

In a merit list released by the NTA, 67 candidates had obtained the same top mark, with the previous highest total being 3 candidates in 2021.[9][10] Despite concerns being raised, no explanation has been given for this. Eight of the candidates who obtained a perfect score came from a single exam center located in Jhajjar, Haryana.[11] A number of candidates also received marks that were theoretically impossible under the answer grid due to receiving grace marks.[12]

One case of this happened due to an error in older versions of the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) textbooks. When 10,000 candidates challenged the answer sheet, the NTA awarded grace marks to those who had followed the textbook. 44 of the top candidates were assisted by this decision.[9]

Public reactions

Following the announcement of the exam results, hashtags protesting the results began trending on social media channels and media platform X, as well as students calling for an investigation into the examination process and urging re-examination.[13]

Several public educators and educational technology companies raised media debates and questioned the authenticity of the exam.[14] Indian political party leaders alleged rigging and corruption and demanded probes into the exam process. Indian National Congress party leader Priyanka Gandhi questioned the government for ignoring student complaints.[15][16]

The president of the Madhya Pradesh Congress Committee's media department Mukesh Nayak alleged in a press conference that the NTA had committed a bigger scam than Vyapam and made demands for a Central Bureau of Investigation probe.[17]

NTA's response

The NTA investigated allegations of a paper leak prior to the exam, and issued a public notice citing them to be "completely baseless and without any ground".[18]

The NTA issued an official clarification notice dated 6 June 2024, refuting suspicions of a paper leak and justified the early results declaration, claiming it was not timed to coincide with the Lok Sabha elections.[19]

The NTA's veiled responses and opaque proceedings only resulted in further anger and questioning from students and media outlets, hailing the entire procedure a scam.[20]

Multiple applications have been filed with the Supreme Court of India asking a re-examination in light of the allegations.[21] The Supreme Court denied the petition to suspend the publishing of NEET UG test results.[22]

A separate petition was filed at the Delhi High Court, challenging the changes to the answers key.[23]

Additionally, a public interest litigation questioning the reason behind the odd marks of 718/720 and 719/720, was raised at the Calcutta High Court.[12] A separate PIL case requested a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) investigation into the matter.[24]

On June 8, 2024, at a press conference, the NTA announced the Education Ministry would set up a four-member panel to reanalyze the supposedly awarded grace marks to 1563 candidates.[25][26][27]

References

  1. ^ "NTA releases NEET UG 2024 result ahead of time, official cut-offs awaited: Check last year's trends, closing ranks for AIIMS and other government medical colleges". The Times of India. 2024-06-05. ISSN 0971-8257. Archived from the original on 2024-06-09. Retrieved 2024-06-07.
  2. ^ "'Cancel NEET 2024': Students demand re-exam citing paper leak, unfair grace marks, irregularities". NEWS CAREERS 360. 2024-06-05. Archived from the original on 2024-06-07. Retrieved 2024-06-07.
  3. ^ "NATIONAL ELIGIBILITY CUM ENTRANCE TEST (UG)". National Testing Agency. 2024-06-05. Archived from the original on 2024-06-05. Retrieved 2024-06-07.
  4. ^ "How Many Students Appeared For NEET 2024?". CAREERS 360. 2024-06-05. Retrieved 2024-06-07.
  5. ^ a b "NEET Paper Leak 2024: NEET Paper Solver Gang Busted in Delhi, Four Held". india.com. Archived from the original on 2024-06-07. Retrieved 2024-06-09.
  6. ^ "NEET UG 2024 paper leaked? NTA denies allegations". The Indian Express. 5 May 2024. Archived from the original on 9 June 2024. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
  7. ^ "NEET UG Result 2024 declared at exams.nta.ac.in/NEET, direct link to check scorecard here". Hindustan Times. 2024-06-04. Archived from the original on 2024-06-07. Retrieved 2024-06-07.
  8. ^ Of India, The Times. "NEET UG 2024 Final Answer Key released". The Times Of India. Archived from the original on 5 June 2024. Retrieved 8 June 2024.
  9. ^ a b "How 44 are NEET UG toppers because of a wrong answer — and wrong textbook". The Indian Express. 7 June 2024. Archived from the original on 7 June 2024. Retrieved 8 June 2024.
  10. ^ "NEET Topper List 2023 with Marks and AIR". Jagranjosh.com. 2024-04-05. Retrieved 2024-06-09.
  11. ^ "8 NEET UG Toppers From Same Centre In Jhajjar, Haryana Raises Doubts; Reports Suggest Were Given 'Two Exam Papers'". Free Press Journal. Archived from the original on 2024-06-07. Retrieved 2024-06-07.
  12. ^ a b Tewari, Anadi (2024-06-07). "Calcutta High Court seeks NTA response on PIL alleging irregularities in NEET UG 2024". Bar and Bench - Indian Legal news. Retrieved 2024-06-07.
  13. ^ "NEET-UG 2024 result: Online campaign builds up pressure for re-examination". India Today. 2024-06-07. Archived from the original on 2024-06-07. Retrieved 2024-06-07.
  14. ^ "Physics Wallah's Alakh Pandey breaks silence over controversial NEET scores, says 'need more...'". www.dnaindia.com. Archived from the original on 2024-06-07. Retrieved 2024-06-07.
  15. ^ MENAFN. "NEET Exam Row: 'Why Is Govt Ignoring Voices Of Lakhs Of Students?' Says Priyanka Gandhi, Congress Leaders Demand Probe". menafn.com. Archived from the original on 2024-06-07. Retrieved 2024-06-07.
  16. ^ Indian Express, The New. "NEET irregularities: Congress leader Priyanka demands probe into legitimate complaints". THE NEW INDIAN EXPRESS. Archived from the original on 7 June 2024. Retrieved 8 June 2024.
  17. ^ The Indian Express (2024-06-07). Congress PC LIVE: Kanhaiya Kumar Addresses Press Conference At AICC HQ In Delhi. Retrieved 2024-06-09 – via YouTube.
  18. ^ Testing Agency, National. "Press Release" (PDF). Exams NTA. Archived (PDF) from the original on 9 June 2024. Retrieved 8 June 2024.
  19. ^ "Regarding queries of candidates on NEET (UG) 2024 Result declared on 04 June 2024" (PDF). National Testing Agency (Press release). 6 June 2024. Archived (PDF) from the original on 7 June 2024. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
  20. ^ "NEET UG Result 2024 Discrepancies: Know Why Medical Students Are Calling NTA NEET Result A Scam". www.india.com. Archived from the original on 2024-06-07. Retrieved 2024-06-07.
  21. ^ Gohain, Manash Pratim (2024-06-08). "Neet aspirants move court at several places over anomalies". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 9 June 2024. Retrieved 2024-06-09.
  22. ^ Express, The Indian. "Re-exam for NEET UG? Group files plea in Supreme Court amid paper leak allegations". The Indian Express. Archived from the original on 8 June 2024. Retrieved 8 June 2024.
  23. ^ Zaman, Sumaila (8 June 2024). "NEET UG Result Controversy: Delhi High Court Seeks NTAs Stand on Plea Concerning NEET Answer Key". www.india.com. Archived from the original on 8 June 2024. Retrieved 2024-06-09.
  24. ^ Misra, Barsha (2024-06-07). "NEET 2024 Aspirants Submit Memorandum to Education Ministry Seeking Investigation in Paper Leak, Result Irregularities Issue". medicaldialogues.in. Archived from the original on 2024-06-07. Retrieved 2024-06-07.
  25. ^ "NEET Result 2024 News Live Updates: Education ministry sets up panel to review various issues". HT Education Desk. 2024-06-08. Archived from the original on 9 June 2024. Retrieved 2024-06-09.
  26. ^ "NEET UG Result 2024 Live Updates: SC issues notices to Centre, NTA on plea for". Indian Express.
  27. ^ "NEET 2024 controversy: Unanswered questions and flawed solutions". frontline.
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