Supreme Court asks NTA about reconducting NEET-UG exam, counselling process continues

The Supreme Court has asked the National Testing Agency (NTA) to respond to the idea of reconducting the NEET-UG exam. 

Despite this, the court has decided not to interrupt the ongoing counselling process. 

The NTA recently announced the results for the medical entrance exam National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (Undergraduate) (NEET-UG). The results are now live on the NTA's website. 

NEET-UG, 2024 was held on May 5 and its results were declared on June 4. It was expected to be declared on June 14.

This year, a record 23 lakh candidates registered for the NEET-UG, of whom over 10 lakh were male students, over 13 lakh were female and 24 under the third gender category.

A vacation bench of Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Ahsanuddin Amanullah, however, refused to stay the counselling of successful candidates for admissions to MBBS, BDS and other courses.

The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test-Undergraduate (NEET-UG) examination is conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) for admissions to MBBS, BDS and AYUSH and other related courses in government and private institutions across the country.

The top court tagged the plea filed by Shivangi Mishra and others with the pending one and asked the NTA to file the response in the meantime.

The plea alleged that NEET-UG, 2024, was riddled with malpractices as various instances of paper leaks have come to the knowledge of the petitioners.

The alleged paper leak was violative of Article 14 (right to equality) under the Constitution as it gave an undue advantage to some candidates over others who chose to attempt the examination in a fair manner, it said.

Region-wise, Uttar Pradesh had registered the highest number of candidates at 3,39,125, followed by Maharashtra at 2,79,904 and Rajasthan at 1,96,139.

However, there have been concerns raised over the record number of toppers and candidates scoring 718 and 719 marks. 

Social media users have raised allegations over "massive irregularities" during the exams and they are puzzled about how with a total of 720 marks possible, the second highest score achievable is 716, but students got 718 and 719.

The agency explained that this has happened due to grace marks as candidates who reported losing time during the NEET UG 2024 exam have been given grace marks. 

The NTA has acknowledged giving grace marks due to delays in starting the exam at certain centers. 

Regardless of the number of marks awarded, even a single grace mark is highly questionable.