NEET 2024 Result Row: Counselling will proceed as scheduled and there will be no interruption. If the exam continues, everything else will proceed as well, so there is no cause for concern, the Supreme Court said.
NEET UG 2024 Result Row: The Centre has informed the Supreme Court that it has decided to cancel the scorecards of 1,563 NEET-UG 2024 candidates who were given grace marks. This decision comes in response to allegations of unfair means during the examination process.
In a statement to the court on Thursday, the Centre announced that these 1,563 students will be provided with the option to take a re-test. This move aims to ensure fairness and integrity in the examination process.
The Centre also detailed the steps taken to address the issue. “A committee meeting was held on June 10, 11, and 12 to investigate the allegations. Based on the committee’s recommendations, the scorecards of the affected candidates will be cancelled, and a re-examination will be held for these students”.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has reaffirmed its decision not to halt the counselling process for NEET-UG 2024.
“Counselling will proceed as scheduled and there will be no interruption. If the exam continues, everything else will proceed as well, so there is no cause for concern,” the top court said.
The retest will be conducted on June 23, while the result will be declared on June 30.
“A committee was set up to review the results of more than 1,563 NEET-UG 2024 candidates who received ‘grace marks’ due to time loss during the exam. The committee has decided to invalidate the scorecards of these candidates, who will now have the option to participate in a re-test,” the Government/NTA informed the Supreme Court.
“The results of the re-test will be declared on June 30; counselling for admission in MBBS, BDS, and other courses will start on July 6,” the Centre told the Supreme Court.
“All petitions, including those seeking cancellation of NEET-UG 2024 on account of allegations of malpractices, will be taken up on July 8,” the top court said.
What did the Supreme Court say?
The court informed petitioners that the NTA has acknowledged their concerns and is removing grace marks. These students have been given the option to participate in a re-exam for NEET UG. They can either retake the exam or participate in NEET UG counseling with a grace marks scorecard.
However, the Supreme Court stated that not every student can apply for a re-exam; only those whose time was shortened can do so.
‘Government ready to answer’
Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said, “There is no corruption. 24 lakh students attended the NEET exam. Today, the issue in the Supreme Court hearing pertains to about 1,500 students. The government is prepared to respond to the court. A committee will be formed for this purpose, and the government will present it to the court. NTA successfully conducts major exams in the country, including NEET, JEE, and CUET. We will take action against those responsible.”
What is the argument of the petitioners?
In the Supreme Court, the petitioners claimed irregularities in awarding grace marks, demanding the cancellation and re-conduct of the exam. NTA informed the Supreme Court that the 1,563 students who received grace marks have the option of re-examination. Students unwilling to retake the exam will receive their original marks without grace marks.
One of the three petitions was filed by Physics Wallah CEO Alakh Pandey, arguing that NTA’s decision to grant grace marks is arbitrary. The second petition was filed by SIO members Abdullah Mohammad Faiz and Dr. Sheikh Roshan Mohiddin, requesting the annulment of exam results and a re-conduct of the exam.
Why were grace marks given?
It is reported that due to timing issues at 6 centers, 1,563 candidates received grace marks. These candidates have the option to participate in the re-examination or accept their results with their original marks, excluding grace marks. Additionally, it was noted that 44 students who scored 720/720 marks were awarded compensatory marks due to an incorrectly published answer in the 12th textbook.
