The Supreme Court strongly criticized the National Testing Agency (NTA) during discussions about the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) for medical college admissions, stating that any level of negligence, even the smallest fraction, must be thoroughly addressed and rectified.
Facts of the Case
The National Testing Agency (NTA) administers NEET, India’s main admission exam for medical and related fields of study, once a year. Amid serious allegations that have sparked protests among medical aspirants and their parents, The vacation bench of Justices Vikram Nath and SV Bhatti was addressing a writ petition that raised concerns similar to those seen in previous cases, including issues such as paper leaks, malpractices, and controversial awarding of grace marks to certain candidates. You can access detailed information about the allegations through the provided link.
The Supreme Court noted that even minor negligence must be addressed comprehensively. The Supreme Court held that, “If there is 0.001% negligence on the part of anyone it should be thoroughly dealt with.” The Apex Court also emphasized that many students across India have devoted significant effort to preparing for these exams, highlighting the importance of recognizing their hard work.
Justice Bhatti emphasized the significant threat posed to society by candidates who fraudulently become doctors. He further highlighted the importance of the National Testing Agency (NTA) taking proactive steps to acknowledge any errors they may have made. By openly admitting mistakes and rectifying them, Justice Bhatti believes that the trust of the public in the NEET exams can be restored. This stance underscores the judiciary’s concern for maintaining the integrity and credibility of professional qualifications in the medical field.
The petitioners in this case also raised significant concerns about the ongoing investigation into the NEET-UG paper leak incidents. They emphasized the urgency of clarifying the investigation’s status, particularly with NEET-UG counseling scheduled for July 6th.
Court’s Orders
The bench tagged this case with other pending petitions and scheduled detailed submissions from counsels for July 8th . The NTA and Union were instructed to submit their responses within two weeks as well.
