NEET-UG 2024: SC Refuses to Stay Counselling Process Once Again

The Supreme Court on Friday once again refused to stay the counselling process for the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (Undergraduate) 2024 and has served a notice to the National Testing Agency (NTA), which administers the exam.

Justices Vikram Nath and SVN Bhatti, presiding over a vacation bench of the apex court, have grouped the new pleas with existing petitions and scheduled them for hearing on July 8, 2024.

Previous Hearing

Previously, the apex court had issued a notice on Thursday in response to a plea by the NTA seeking the transfer of NEET-UG 2024 examination petitions from various High Courts to the Supreme Court. The vacation bench also stayed proceedings in different high courts.

The vacation bench addressed pleas regarding alleged question paper leaks and other irregularities during the hearing. The Supreme Court reiterated its decision not to halt the counselling process.

Furthermore, the Supreme Court has sent notices to the Centre and NTA concerning a petition filed by students from the Meghalaya centre for NEET-UG exam, who claim they lost 45 minutes. They requested inclusion among the 1563 students receiving grace marks and the option to reappear on June 23. These petitions are set for hearing on July 8.

Exam Details and Controversies

NEET-UG 2024 was conducted on May 5, and although the results were scheduled for June 14, they were announced earlier on June 4. Following allegations of irregularities and paper leaks, protests ensued, especially when 67 students achieved a perfect score of 720.

Students filed petitions across various courts seeking a re-test. The Supreme Court has allowed a re-test for over 1,500 students who were awarded grace marks.

NEET-UG, administered by the NTA, determines admission to MBBS, BDS, AYUSH, and related courses in government and private institutions nationwide.

On June 13, the NTA informed the Supreme Court that scorecards of the 1563 candidates receiving grace marks would be annulled. These candidates have the option to either retake the exam on June 23 (with results by June 30) or forfeit the compensatory marks.

During a hearing on Tuesday, the Supreme Court stressed its commitment to addressing any negligence, no matter how minor, in the conduct of NEET-UG 2024.

The vacation bench reminded advocates representing the Centre and NTA that any negligence must be addressed seriously.

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