The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) 2024 results, released on June 4, have ignited significant controversy and raised serious concerns among aspirants, parents, and politicians. The controversies span from the awarding of grace marks to allegations of paper leaks and inconsistencies in the answer key. This detailed examination explores the key issues and the responses from the National Testing Agency (NTA) and other stakeholders.
Grace Marks for ‘Loss of Time’
On June 8, NTA Director General Subodh Kumar Singh announced that the Education Ministry had set up a panel to re-examine the results of over 1,563 students who were awarded grace marks. These students claimed they lost valuable time during the examination due to various issues, including the distribution of incorrect question papers at some centres. Representations were filed in High Courts across several states, including Punjab, Delhi, Haryana, and Chhattisgarh.
The NTA responded by forming a committee that applied a formula, approved by the Supreme Court in a 2018 judgment, to address the issue. Consequently, grace marks were awarded to the affected candidates. Despite allegations that hundreds of marks were awarded as grace marks, the NTA maintained that this did not affect the qualifying criteria of the exam and that the review of results would not impact the admission process.
Alleged Question Paper Leak
Media reports surfaced alleging that the NEET UG question paper had been leaked at certain exam centres before the test commenced on May 5. A Times of India report indicated at least three instances of such leaks, with the Economic Offences Unit (EOU) of the Bihar police probing one case. The investigation revealed that parents had paid around Rs 50 lakh for the leaked question paper, leading to the arrest of 13 individuals, including parents and aspirants.
Despite these allegations, the NTA dismissed claims of a paper leak as baseless, asserting that all question papers were accounted for. However, suspicions persisted, particularly with the revelation that eight students from the same exam centre in Jhajjar, Haryana, scored 720/720 and were among the 67 students who achieved perfect scores.
Inaccurate Answer Key
Another major issue was the incorrect answer key. Aspirants pointed out that for a Physics question, two of the provided options were correct. Approximately 13,000 students challenged the answer key, as they had skipped the question to avoid negative marking, thus losing four marks. Those who attempted the question and chose one of the correct options received five grace marks. This discrepancy led to demands for either omitting the question from the evaluation or awarding grace marks to all students who appeared for the examination to ensure fairness.
Out of the students who scored perfect marks, 44 had attempted the disputed Physics question and received grace marks, further fueling the controversy.
Court Cases and Political Reactions
The controversies led to multiple court cases. On June 1, a petition was filed in the Supreme Court seeking a re-examination of the NEET UG 2024. The Calcutta High Court ordered the NTA to respond within 10 days to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) alleging various irregularities. The court also ordered the NTA to preserve all records related to the examination.
The Delhi High Court sought the NTA’s response to a petition challenging the award of grace marks for the Physics question. Petitioners requested the court to direct the NTA to award equal marks to those who did not attempt the question.
Politicians have also weighed in on the matter. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge demanded a high-level investigation into the alleged irregularities, accusing the Modi government of failing to ensure a fair examination process. Congress leaders Jairam Ramesh and Priyanka Gandhi echoed these sentiments, highlighting the potential impact on students’ futures and calling for a transparent investigation supervised by the Supreme Court.
Karnataka’s Chief Minister Siddaramaiah questioned the early release of the NEET results, suggesting it might have been an attempt to cover up irregularities. Tamil Nadu’s Health Minister Ma Subramanian indicated plans to move court against the NTA, citing the adverse impact on students who scored well but may not secure admission due to the awarding of grace marks.
Conclusion
The NEET 2024 results have been mired in controversy, with allegations of paper leaks, discrepancies in the answer key, and the awarding of grace marks. The NTA’s responses and the ongoing investigations will be crucial in addressing these issues and restoring confidence in the examination process. As the re-examination of results and various court cases proceed, stakeholders continue to demand transparency and fairness to ensure the credibility of one of India’s most significant entrance exams.
