NEET-UG 2024 under scrutiny: Supreme Court to hear transfer petitions

The Supreme Court of India has taken a significant step regarding the ongoing controversy surrounding the NEET-UG 2024 examination. On Monday, the court issued a notice on petitions filed by the National Testing Agency (NTA), which seeks the transfer of cases related to the NEET-UG exam from the Rajasthan High Court to the Supreme Court.

Notice Issued by the Supreme Court

A bench comprising Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, Justice JB Pardiwala, and Justice Manoj Misra issued the notice to the petitioners involved in the cases pending before the Rajasthan High Court. The notice was issued with the intention of tagging the transfer petitions with the existing matters already pending in the Supreme Court. The order succinctly stated, "Issue notice and tag," thereby bringing the focus on these transfer petitions.

A batch of petitions had been filed before the Rajasthan High Court, challenging the integrity of the NEET-UG 2024 examination. The petitioners raised serious concerns about the examination process, including allegations of paper leakage and other malpractices. In response to these allegations, the NTA moved to the Supreme Court, seeking to consolidate all related cases to be heard together, ensuring a comprehensive resolution.

Allegations of Malpractice

The core of the controversy revolves around the claims made by NEET-UG aspirants. The petitioners have approached the Supreme Court, highlighting issues such as the alleged leakage of the question paper, the need for compensatory marks, and anomalies in the questions posed in the NEET-UG 2024 exam. These allegations have cast a shadow over the examination's credibility, prompting calls for the results to be recalled and for the examination to be conducted afresh.

Importance of NEET-UG

The NEET-UG examination, conducted by the NTA, is a crucial gateway for students aspiring to enter medical and dental colleges across India. It serves as the entrance test for admissions into MBBS, BDS, AYUSH, and other related courses in both government and private institutions. The exam's integrity is vital for ensuring a fair selection process for approximately 24 lakh candidates who appeared for the NEET-UG 2024 held on May 5 across 4,750 centers.
The Supreme Court's decision to issue a notice and consider the transfer of cases underscores the significance of resolving these allegations promptly and fairly. By potentially consolidating all related cases, the Supreme Court aims to streamline the judicial process and provide a unified verdict that addresses the concerns of all stakeholders involved.