NEET-UG Row: Fresh Plea in SC Seeking CBI, ED Probe

A fresh petition has been filed in the Supreme Court, urging the CBI and the ED to investigate alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG medical entrance exam held on May 5.

The petition, filed by 10 students who appeared for the exam, also seeks a directive for the Bihar Police to expedite their investigation and submit a report to the apex court.

“The petitioners are fully cognizant of the potential consequences of cancelling the examination, but see no alternative. The NEET UG 2024 exam exhibited numerous irregularities, notably severe negligence by authorities in timely distribution of question papers. Incorrect question paper sets were distributed in some locations and subsequently withdrawn,” the plea stated.

Earlier, the Supreme Court had sought responses from the Centre, the National Testing Agency (NTA), and others on several petitions, some of which sought cancellation of the NEET-UG 2024 exam and a court-monitored investigation, amidst growing outcry over alleged irregularities in conducting the nationwide medical entrance test.

The apex court had also halted proceedings on similar pleas pending before various high courts, clarifying that it would not impede the counselling process.

The exam, conducted on May 5 across 4,750 centers, saw participation from approximately 24 lakh candidates. Results, originally anticipated on June 14, were announced on June 4, reportedly due to early completion of answer sheet evaluations.

Allegations of irregularities have sparked protests in several cities and political disputes. A record 67 students achieved a perfect score of 720, unprecedented in NTA history, including six from a center in Faridabad, Haryana, raising suspicions of irregularities. It has been alleged that grace marks contributed to 67 students sharing the top rank.

NTA conducts the NEET-UG exam for admission to MBBS, BDS, AYUSH, and related courses in government and private institutions nationwide.

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