New Delhi: In a big blow to unsuccessful NEET-UG 2024 candidates, the Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed pleas seeking cancellation and retest of the exam amidst widespread allegations of malpractice.
Following the Supreme Court’s directives, the Union education ministry announced it would release a fresh merit list of successful candidates within the next two days.
The SC, in its interim verdict to be followed by a detailed and reasoned order, stated that there was no evidence of a "systemic breach" of the exam's integrity. This decision aims to put an end to the criticism and protests that have erupted both on the streets and in Parliament over alleged malpractices such as question paper leaks, fraud, and impersonation during the prestigious exam held on May 5.
Regarding a disputed physics question in the examination, the bench noted, "In view of the experts' determination, we have no manner of doubt with regard to the correct option... We accept the IIT Delhi report and accordingly the NTA shall re-tally the NEET-UG result on the basis that option 4 represents the only correct answer to the question." IIT Delhi's report indicated that the correct answer to the question was "atoms are electrically neutral as they contain equal numbers of positive and negative charges."
The court also upheld the NTA’s decision to conduct a re-test for 1,563 students due to issues such as loss of time, change of question paper set, and language problems.
Approximately 24 lakh students appeared for the NEET-UG 2024 for admissions to MBBS, BDS, AYUSH, and other related courses. The apex court highlighted that ordering a re-test would have severe repercussions for over 23 lakh students who took the exam.
The court emphasised that a re-test would cause "disruption of the admission schedule, cascading effects on the course of medical education, impact on the availability of qualified medical professionals in the future, and be seriously disadvantageous for marginalized groups for whom reservation was made in the allocation of seats."
The bench, comprising Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud and Justices J.B. Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, concluded the four-day proceedings by hearing submissions from several lawyers, including solicitor general Tushar Mehta for the Centre and the NTA, and senior advocates Narender Hooda, Sanjay Hegde, and Mathews Nedumpara.
Instead of reserving the verdict, the bench re-assembled around 4/50 pm to dictate the order, emphasising the urgent need to provide certainty and finality to the dispute affecting over 2 million students.
Upon scrutinising the data provided by the NTA and others, the CJI stated, "At the present stage, there is an absence of material on record to lead to the conclusion that the result of the examination is vitiated or that there is a systemic breach of the sanctity of the exam."
The Supreme Court dismissed the petitioners' claims of a systemic leak of the question paper, which would justify a re-test. However, the court acknowledged that a leak did occur in Hazaribagh and Patna, affecting 155 students who benefited from the fraud, as confirmed by the CBI’s status report.
The court ruled that no student involved in this fraud or a beneficiary of it would be entitled to claim continuation of their admission.
The bench allowed candidates with personal grievances to approach the respective high courts after withdrawing their pleas from the apex court.
Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan welcomed the top court's decision, stating that truth had prevailed. "Satyamev Jayate. Truth has prevailed," Pradhan said at a press conference. He reiterated that the government has zero tolerance for any breach of exam integrity and that anyone found involved in exam irregularities would face strict consequences.
