The recent declaration of results for the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) — a crucial all-India examination for admission to medical courses — has sparked a massive controversy, drawing the ire of opposition leaders who have accused the Centre of inaction and backing coaching centers.
Since its inception, the DMK, a vocal critic of NEET, has slammed the National Testing Agency (NTA) for allegedly compromising the exam’s sanctity. The party claims the Centre has been a mere “spectator” and supports coaching centers. At the same time, the Congress has questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “silence” and demanded a Supreme Court-monitored probe.
The controversy erupted after the results, announced on June 4 — the same day as the counting of votes for the 2024 Lok Sabha election — revealed several irregularities. Allegations of the paper leak have surfaced, with as many as 67 students scoring a perfect 720/720, leading to a steep rise in the cut-off that has left many aspirants worried about securing a medical college seat.
Another bone of contention is the award of grace marks to several students to compensate for the loss of time at the exam center. Protesting students allege this has artificially inflated the marks, and the matter is now before the Supreme Court.
The Centre has informed the court that it has canceled the grace marks given to 1,563 candidates, who now have the option to take a re-test or forgo the grace marks. However, some students have argued that this is not enough and that the entire exam should be repeated.
Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has denied any evidence of a paper leak and dismissed the claims of corruption in the NTA as “unfounded.” However, the opposition remains unconvinced, with Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge stating that grace marks are not the only problem and that “rigging, paper leaks, and corruption” have taken place, jeopardizing the future of 24 lakh students who appeared for the exam.
Rahul Gandhi, the Congress leader, has described the “NEET scam” as a devastating blow to more than 24 lakh students and their families. At the same time, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, the party’s general secretary, has accused the Education Minister of an “arrogant response” that ignores the cries of the affected students and their parents.
Other allies of the INDIA coalition have also joined the protest against the exam. RJD leader and Leader of Opposition in the Bihar Assembly, Tejasjwi Yadav, has said paper leaks are “inevitable” whenever the BJP is in power.
In contrast, Trinamool leader and Bengal education minister Bratya Basu has criticized the Centre’s silence on probing the alleged irregularities in NEET-UG, which he says have affected the future careers of lakhs of aspiring doctors nationwide.
As the controversy continues to unfold, the Supreme Court is scheduled to resume its hearing on the matter on July 8, while the counseling for medical college seats begins on July 6.
