The Supreme Court has taken a stern view of the alleged irregularities in the recently conducted NEET-UG 2024 examination, issuing notices to the National Testing Agency (NTA) and the Central government. In a strong statement, the apex court asserted that even a 0.001 percent negligence must be dealt with comprehensively.
“If there is 0.001% negligence on the part of anyone, it should be thoroughly dealt with,” the Supreme Court observed, reflecting the gravity of the situation. The court also emphasized the immense effort and hard work put in by medical aspirants preparing for one of the toughest entrance exams in the country. “Children have prepared for the exams, we cannot forget their labor,” the court noted, as per the Live Law report. Justice Vikram Nath, while addressing the NTA, made it clear that the Supreme Court expects timely action from the agency in resolving the issue.
“Let us hear the petitions on July 8,” he added, setting a date for the next hearing. The NEET-UG examination, which was conducted on May 5 across 4,750 centers in 571 cities across India, has been mired in controversy after the results were declared on June 4. Parents and teachers have raised doubts over the grace marks awarded to 1,563 students, sparking a heated debate and prompting political parties to trade barbs. In response to the escalating situation, the NTA had earlier informed the Supreme Court that it was canceling the exam for those who received the disputed grace marks. NEET is India’s premier entrance examination for admission to medical and allied educational fields, and the National Testing Agency is responsible for conducting the exam annually. The court’s stern stance underscores the importance of maintaining the integrity and fairness of the examination process, which holds immense significance for countless aspiring medical professionals across the country.
