A review petition challenging the Supreme Court's recent decision to uphold the integrity of the NEET-UG 2024 exam is scheduled for hearing on Monday, October 21. The petition, filed on August 31, invokes Article 137 of the Constitution, contesting the court's ruling from July 23, which asserted there was no systemic leak of the question paper that would compromise the examination’s integrity. This development comes after 45 days of deliberation, with the Supreme Court now accepting the petition for consideration.
In its pivotal July 23 verdict, the bench led by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud acknowledged the potential ramifications for the more than two million students who participated in the NEET-UG exam held on May 5. While the court recognized the concerns surrounding the exam, it clarified that its ruling would not prevent authorities from taking action against candidates who secured admission through fraudulent means. This statement reinforced the importance of maintaining ethical standards in the admission process.
In response to the ongoing concerns regarding the examination's integrity, the Union Ministry of Education established a seven-member expert panel chaired by Dr. K Radhakrishnan, the former ISRO and current Chairman of the Board of Governors at IIT Kanpur. This panel recommends effective measures to ensure that future examinations conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) are transparent, smooth, and fair.
This year's NEET-UG exam has been fraught with controversy, marred by allegations of paper leaks, incidents of malpractice, and increasing cutoff ranks. Such issues have raised significant concerns about the examination process and its fairness, leading to widespread speculation among stakeholders. As the Supreme Court prepares to review the petition, the outcome could have far-reaching implications for the future of the NEET-UG exam and the students who rely on it for medical admissions nationwide.
