NEET Paper Scam 2024: How NEET paper was leaked in Patna?

The 2024 NEET controversy arose due to multiple discrepancies in the conduction and result declaration of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (Undergraduate) (NEET-UG) 2024. NEET UG, one of India’s largest entrance examinations for undergraduate medical programs, is conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA). The controversy has led to widespread scrutiny, public outcry, and legal proceedings.

Supreme Court on NEET Exam 2024

The Supreme Court of India is hearing petitions on alleged irregularities in the NEET UG 2024 exam. The National Testing Agency (NTA), which conducts NEET UG, faces accusations of paper leaks. Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra are addressing 38 petitions. Both the central government and NTA oppose canceling the exam, citing potential harm to qualified candidates. The Medical Counselling Committee’s (MCC) counselling, initially set for July 6, is postponed until further notice. New counselling dates are expected after the July 8 hearing.

NEET Exam Scam 2024

The NEET UG 2024 examination saw approximately 2.4 million candidates across India sitting for the test on May 5, 2024. This exam is crucial for students seeking admission into medical colleges, making it one of the most competitive examinations in the country. The number of applicants has been on the rise in recent years, highlighting the growing demand for medical education in India.

NEET Exam Paper Leak Incident 2024

The first major issue that came to light was a paper leak scandal in Gujarat. This scandal involved Vadodara-based international education consultants, educators, and at least 16 students who allegedly paid Rs 10 lakh each to pass the exam. Reports suggested that buyers were charged between Rs 20 to 25 lakhs (approximately USD 25,000-30,000) for examination papers. Specific centers, such as Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan Mehta Vidyalaya and Girls Higher Secondary Adarsh Vidya Mandir in Rajasthan, were implicated, with claims of students receiving the wrong medium of question papers.

NEET Exam Result Scrutiny

Suspicions around the NEET UG 2024 results grew when they were declared 10 days ahead of the scheduled date, coinciding with the 2024 Indian general elections. This early release, combined with the immediate publication of the official Answer Key, raised eyebrows.

The merit list revealed an unprecedented number of 67 candidates achieving perfect scores, compared to just three in previous years. Notably, eight of these top scorers were from a single exam center in Jhajjar, Haryana. Additionally, some candidates received theoretically impossible scores due to the allocation of grace marks.

One notable instance involved a large number of candidates challenging the answer key. The NTA awarded grace marks due to errors in older versions of National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) textbooks, affecting 44 top candidates.

NEET Exam Scam 2024 Public Reactions

The announcement of the results led to a significant backlash on social media and other platforms. Hashtags protesting the results trended widely, with students calling for an investigation and a re-examination. Public educators and ed-tech companies joined the debate, questioning the exam’s authenticity. Politicians, including Indian National Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi, demanded a thorough investigation and criticized the government’s handling of the situation.

NTA’s Response on NEET Exam Scam 2024

In response to the allegations, the NTA conducted an internal investigation and declared the claims of a paper leak to be “completely baseless and without any ground.” The NTA justified the early release of results, stating it was unrelated to the general elections. Despite these assurances, the NTA’s lack of transparency fueled further distrust among students and the public.

Legal Proceedings and Investigation

The controversy led to multiple legal actions. Petitions were filed with the Supreme Court of India seeking a re-examination, although the Court denied the request to suspend the test results. Other legal challenges included a petition in the Delhi High Court against changes to the answer key and a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the Calcutta High Court questioning the odd marks distribution. Additionally, calls for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe were made.

On June 8, 2024, the NTA announced the formation of a four-member panel by the Education Ministry to reassess the grace marks awarded to 1563 candidates.

Conclusion

The 2024 NEET controversy has sparked widespread concern over the integrity of one of India’s most important entrance examinations. With ongoing legal proceedings and public dissatisfaction, the controversy underscores the need for greater transparency and accountability in the administration of such crucial tests. The resolution of this issue will be closely watched by students, educators, and policymakers alike.

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