Delhi HC Calls For NTA Response Over NEET Candidate’s Torn OMR Sheet Plea

The Delhi High Court has sought the National Testing Agency’s (NTA) response to a petition filed by a 19-year-old NEET candidate seeking grace marks after receiving a torn OMR sheet.

COURT’S ORDER

Justice C Hari Shankar issued a notice to the NTA and the Centre regarding the candidate’s petition and directed the preservation of her original OMR (Optical Mark Recognition) sheet. OMR sheets for exams are pre-printed paper security documents that contain the candidate’s personal information, such as name and date of birth.

“List for disposal on 8 July 2024. The respondents are directed to preserve the original OMR sheets relating to the petitioner in this case,” the court ordered on May 20.

The petitioner, represented by advocate Tanvi Dubey, stated that she appeared for the NEET UG 2024 on May 5 and discovered that the seal cover, first page of the question paper for the physics section, and the OMR sheet were torn vertically.

After a delay of around 30 minutes, a new question paper and OMR sheet were provided to her, but she was only given 10 extra minutes to complete the exam.

WHAT PETITION SAYS?

The petition alleged that the candidate suffered due to the NTA’s conduct, as she was denied a fresh OMR sheet for 30 minutes and was eventually given a new OMR sheet and question paper after an “unreasonable delay.” She claimed to have already attempted 60 questions on the old question paper and could not properly attempt all questions on the new question paper with the required focus and concentration.

“Petitioner is severely prejudiced because of the act of the Respondent No.1, as she was not treated in parity with the other candidates due to the events which transpired inside the examination hall. She was not given an occasion to complete the paper in the same manner as the other examinees as her OMR sheet was torn,” the petition stated.

“In light of the foregoing facts and circumstances, it is most respectfully prayed that this Hon’ble Court may be pleased to… issue a writ of declaration or any appropriate writ, order, or direction to direct Respondent No.1 to give grace marks to the Petitioner,” the plea urged the court.