In a recent ruling, the Supreme Court of India has mandated the cancellation of grace marks awarded to 1563 NEET UG 2024 candidates due to controversies surrounding the examination. These candidates will be given an option to retake the exam on June 23, 2024. The decision follows widespread concerns about the integrity of the NEET UG 2024 exam, including allegations of paper leaks and irregularities in the results.
Background and Issues
The National Testing Agency (NTA) initially awarded grace marks to these candidates to compensate for the loss of exam time, a decision made in response to grievances filed in various high courts. The compensatory marks were intended to address issues such as time loss during the examination, as confirmed by CCTV footage and other reports. This adjustment led to anomalies in the scoring, with some candidates receiving near-perfect scores unexpectedly.
Supreme Court’s Intervention
The Supreme Court’s intervention came after multiple petitions highlighted discrepancies and sought a fresh examination to maintain the sanctity of the NEET process. The court agreed that the integrity of the exam had been compromised and thus ordered the cancellation of the previously awarded grace marks. This decision aims to ensure fairness and transparency in the evaluation process.
Impact and Next Steps
The affected candidates now have the option to appear for a retest on June 23. Those who choose not to retake the exam will have their results based on the original examination held on May 5. The NTA has assured that the retest will be conducted with strict measures to prevent any further discrepancies.
This ruling highlights the judicial commitment to maintaining the credibility of national examinations and ensuring that all candidates are evaluated on a fair and equal basis.