SC Admits NEET UG Paper Leak In Hazaribagh & Patna, Asks For Strengthening Of NTA | Top Points

After hearing a batch of pleas on irregularities in the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test – Undergraduate (NEET-UG) 2024, the Supreme Court on Tuesday concluded that a retest would not be justified. “At the present stage, there is an absence of material on record to lead to the conclusion that the exam’s result was violated or there was a systemic breach of the sanctity of the examination,” the top court observed.

However, the court admitted that the paper leak happened in Hazaribagh and Patna. During the proceedings, CJI Chandrachud also noted that ordering a fresh exam would have significant repercussions affecting over 24 lakh students who appeared in the exam.

Supreme Court On NEET-UG Paper Leak

• Data on record is not indicative of a systemic leak of the question paper which would indicate a disruption of the sanctity of the exam.
• Cancelling the entire exam is neither justified on the basis of the test laid down by this court nor on the material available, said CJI DY Chndrachud.
• The court is also mindful of the fact that directing a fresh NEET would have serious consequences.
• The top court has asked the NTA to re-calculate the result on the basis of the correct answer.
• “We accept the IIT Delhi report and accordingly NTA shall re-tally the NEET UG result on the basis that option 4 represents the only correct answer to the question,” said CJI.
• During the course of the hearing, the court appraised that Union has formed a committee headed by ex ISRO chairman, the Committee will abide by the directions of this court in the final judgment rendered by this court, said CJI.
• The court has also asked for the strengthening of the NTA so that “such incidents don’t repeat in the future”.