The Supreme Court on July 8 voiced serious concerns about the integrity of the NEET UG 2024 exams amid allegations of irregularities. A Bench led by Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud highlighted that the integrity of the exam had indeed been compromised.
The Court instructed the National Testing Agency (NTA), responsible for administering the exam, and the government to submit detailed affidavits. Additionally, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) was asked to provide a status update on their investigation by July 10.
CJI Chandrachud stated that the decision on conducting a re-test would hinge on whether the leak was widespread or a localized incident. He noted that if the leak had spread via social media, it would have proliferated rapidly.
“The Court is focused on maintaining the sanctity of the NEET examination to prevent future occurrences,” he added.
The Court suggested that a multi-disciplinary team of experts might be needed to address the issue comprehensively. If such a committee already exists, its details should be disclosed to the Court for further evaluation.
On July 11, the Supreme Court postponed further hearings on NEET to July 18, allowing time for parties to respond to the Centre and Union’s affidavits. The Centre, in its July 10 affidavit, opposed a re-test, citing a report from IIT Madras that dismissed claims of widespread malpractice.
Abdullah Faiz, National Secretary of Students Islamic Organisation (SIO), welcomed the Supreme Court’s recognition of the leak and the potential necessity of a re-test if social media involvement is confirmed. He stressed the importance of the CBI and NTA providing detailed reports on the nature and extent of the leak, highlighting the need to safeguard the exam’s integrity.
Dr. Maskoor Ahmad Usmani, former president of AMU Students Union and now a Congress leader, criticized the delay in the Court’s proceedings. He emphasized that repeated paper leaks over the past years reflect systemic issues, and the NTA’s failure to provide clear answers about the exam raises doubts about its credibility. Usmani called for more stringent measures to address and prevent such breaches.
Usmani also noted that over the past few years, numerous cases of paper leaks have occurred without adequate investigations, harming students who prepare diligently for these exams. He argued for a more rigorous approach to tackling this pervasive issue.
Rahul Gandhi, Leader of Opposition, had sought a debate on the issue of paper leaks in Parliament, expressing concern over its impact on students’ futures. He attributed the problem to the mismanagement by the RSS/BJP.
Dr. Abhay Kumar from the University of Delhi criticized the centralized examination process, arguing that it fails to appreciate individual candidates’ unique qualities and promotes rote learning and corruption. He advocated for a decentralized approach, better educational facilities, and increased participation from marginalized communities to foster inclusive education and employment opportunities.
Kumar concluded by urging the government to prioritize quality and critical education over profit-driven motives to ensure substantial, positive changes in the education system.