NEET-UG Physics Question Row: “There Is Only One Correct Answer” Says IIT-D Experts

A panel of 3 experts from IIT Delhi informed the Supreme Court on Tuesday that there was only one correct answer, not two, to a disputed physics question in the NEET-UG 2024 exam.

A bench led by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and Justice JB Pardiwala previously requested IIT-Delhi’s Director to form an expert team to review the question and report the correct answer by Tuesday noon.

Chief Justice Chandrachud, referencing the report, stated, “We have received the IIT Delhi report. The IIT Director Rangan Banerjee constituted a committee from the department of physics, and they confirm that option four is the correct answer.”

He added that option four, which states “Statement I is correct but Statement II is incorrect,” is correct. “The committee has clearly opined that there was only one correct option, which is option four. Thus, the National Testing Agency (NTA) was correct in its answer key,” the bench noted.

The hearing continues with Solicitor General Tushar Mehta representing the Centre and the NTA.

The Supreme Court is reviewing multiple petitions, some of which call for a re-test of the NEET-UG due to alleged question paper leaks and other malpractices.

During Monday’s proceedings, the bench encountered a dilemma over the physics question. It was argued that the question had two correct answers, leading to a discrepancy in awarding marks. Some examinees received four marks for one of the correct answers, while others faced deductions or skipped the question.

This issue prompted the court to request the IIT-D director to form a team of three subject experts for clarification.

PTI also sought input from Delhi University Associate Professor and IIT Madras alumnus Naveen Gaur on the contentious question. Professor Gaur concurred that option four is the only correct answer.

The disputed question reads:

Given below are two statements:
– Statement I: Atoms are electrically neutral as they contain an equal number of positive and negative charges.
– Statement II: Atoms of each element are stable and emit their characteristic spectrum.

Choose the most appropriate answer:
1. Statement I is incorrect but Statement II is correct.
2. Both Statement I and Statement II are correct.
3. Both Statement I and Statement II are incorrect.
4. Statement I is correct but Statement II is incorrect.

Over 23.33 lakh students took the NEET-UG on May 5 at 4,750 centers in 571 cities, including 14 overseas. The NEET-UG, conducted by the NTA, is for admissions to MBBS, BDS, AYUSH, and other related courses in government and private institutions across India.

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