“Scrapping NEET UG 2024 would be irrational...”: Centre Opposes to NEET UG Re-Examination in Affidavit to Supreme Court

The Centre on Friday filed an affidavit before the Supreme Court stating that the NEET – UG 2024 need not to be re-conducted as there is “no proof of large scale irregularities” in the examination. The affidavit further stated that it would be irrational to scrap the entire examination since the results had already been declared.

“Scrapping the exam in its entirety would seriously jeopardize the lakhs of honest candidates who attempted the question paper in 2024,” reads the affidavit filed by the Ministry of Education. The Centre has announced that the Central bureau of Investigation (CBI) has been tasked with investigating the full scope of allegations, including conspiracy, cheating, impersonation, and breach of trust.

“The Union of India duly appreciates that the confidentiality of the question papers is the utmost priority in any examination and that if due to some criminality at the behest of some criminal elements, the confidentiality has been breached, the Union of India submits that the said person must be dealt sternly and with the full force of law to ensure that they are punished,” states the affidavit.

The government mentioned that the Ministry of Education has formed a High-Level Committee of Experts after the current examination to propose effective measures for conducting transparent, smooth, and fair exams by the National Testing Agency (NTA).

The Supreme Court while hearing a plea on June 11 noted concerns regarding the sanctity of NEET- UG examination and asked for responses from the Centre and the NTA. A bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud is scheduled to hear a batch of petitions on July 8 concerning allegations and irregularities in the NEET – UG examination which was conducted on May 5.

The NEET – UG examination for undergraduate medical programmes conducted by NTA has come under serious scrutiny over allegations of question paper leaks and the awarding of grace marks to 1563 students which lead to widespread protest throughout the country. The CBI has made six arrests so far in the NEET-UG paper leak case.