News about one of the significant national-level examinations, NEET-UG 2024, conducted for the Medical Admission Test, which has landed in a controversy over malpractice charges. Having started with one of the most famous EdTech companies of Physics Wallah, Alakh Pandey has also complained to the Supreme Court about these problems.
The allegations have been made in what Pandey has described as the ‘NEET-UG exam scam’, where the National Testing Agency (NTA), responsible for the conduct of the test, has allegedly awarded grace marks to over 1,500 candidates arbitrarily. He has applied to the Supreme Court to form a committee of experts to investigate the examination process and the outcome.
NEET-UG 2024 was conducted on May 05 across 4,750 centers, and nearly 24 lakh candidates were attempted for the examination. Although the results were expected on June 14, they were released two weeks earlier on June 4, claiming that the answer sheets were chased and checked earlier than expected.
New controversy emerged when there were revelations of question paper leakage and the granting of grace marks: this called for protests and litigations in 7 High Courts and the Supreme Court.
The outrage has arisen because 67 students secured 720 marks, six of whom are from the same center in Faridabad, Haryana and thus, it has sparked certain doubts regarding the fairness of the process.
On June 10, students took to the streets protesting in Delhi, urging the authorities to investigate these allegations. Their objective is still debatable, although they may at least partially be held responsible for the inflated proportion of students who scored higher than ever.
The backlash has encouraged Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan to inform the aspirants and parents that there is no concrete proof of the paper leak. He mentioned that the allegations are currently undergoing investigation by the relevant authorities.
However, issues arise whether the NTA was doing the same before the apex court intervented to halt the practice. It was an adamant stand from the minister, but to the students, he stated that even the Supreme Court has given its verdict over the issue, and all the 1563 affected students will be given another chance to take the exam.
Peculiarities of the NEET-UG 2024 process have been criticized heavily, leading to protests and legal actions. As the judgment of the Supreme Court on this matter is expected on July 8, the education community remains keen on the outcome of this issue.
