The Supreme Court delivered a detailed judgment explaining its decision not to cancel the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET-UG 2024), despite the controversies. Apex Court has received many petitions on cancelling the NEET-UG 2024 conducted by National Testing Agency (NTA) because of paper leakage. But SC has ordered not to cancel the exam and release the re-revised merit list. SC has explained this decision, saying there are no systematic flaws in the NEET-UG 2024 examination. This was announced after checking the data analytics from IIT-Madras on paper leakage.
The Supreme Court declared in its ruling that "such flip-flops in a national exam do not serve the interests of the students." The SC ordered the centre to take necessary precautions to avoid difficulties in future. They added that problems are limited to Patna and Hazaribagh in Bihar.
Last month, SC ruled that the NEET-UG 2024 paper leakage should not be cancelled as there is no evidence to prove the leakage. The top court declared that if a new NEET-UG were ordered for the current year, there would be severe consequences for the more than 24 lakh students who took the exam. The highest court further stated that the available data does not point to a systematic leak of the NEET UG 2024 question paper.
The Central Government has implemented laws to prevent similar disturbances in the future. Commencing on June 21, 2024, the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act 2024 imposes severe sanctions on individuals convicted of engaging in unethical behaviour.
NEET-UG 2024 case - Timeline of events
May 3- Two days before the exam, a video claiming NEET-UG 2024 paper leak went viral.
May 5- NTA conducted NEET exam for over 24 lakh students.
May 6- NTA issued an official statement and said that question paper was NOT leaked.
May 8- Police of various states including Rajasthan, Delhi, and Bihar arrested culprits involved in NEET UG unfair means.
May 17- SC heard a plea filed by Vaishnavi Yadav, who urged to halt NEET results. The apex court refused to put hold on results.
June 1- A plea was filed in Supreme Court regarding paper leak and other discrepancies
June 4- NEET result 2024 was issued. 67 Students were declared toppers with AIR 1.
June 8- Private coaching raised concerns and flagged the issue before relevant authorities.
June 9- Plea challenging NTA’s grace marks policy filed in the Supreme Court by Alakh Pandey (CEO of Physics Wallah) and 2 others.
June 11- Supreme Court heard the plea and said counselling will not be halted and deferred the hearing till July 8.
June 13- NTA announces re-exam for 1563 students who were given grace marks. SC refuses to halt counselling.
June 19: UGC-NET 2024 exam cancelled due to paper leak, CBI probe launched.
June 20: Officials confirms paper leak on Darknet, arrests made in Bihar for NEET UG paper leak.
June 21: NTA's Director General replaced, new regulations enforced to prevent exam irregularities.
June 22: High-level committee formed to review NTA's examination processes.
July 10: Centre submits affidavit to Supreme Court, asserts no evidence of widespread cheating.
July 17: NTA files written submissions to Supreme Court, counters allegations of systemic failures.
July 23: Supreme Court dismisses pleas seeking exam cancellation and re-test.
August 2: Supreme Court upholds NEET-UG 2024 exam, orders review of NTA's procedures.