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Watch: Hearing in NEET Case Postponed Today, SC to Hear Case on July 18

July 11, 2024, 1:34 pm

The hearing in the NEET case has been postponed today. The matter will now be heard on July 18. There are 43 petitions related to this case listed in the court. A bench led by CJI Chandrachud will hear the case.

Following the Supreme Court’s decision to adjourn the hearing of the NEET-UG 2024 exam case, Advocate for the Petitioner, Neetu Verma, mentioned that the hearing had been postponed to the following Thursday. She noted that the court had requested an investigation report from the CBI, which had not yet been submitted. Verma expressed significant hope that the Chief Justice of India (CJI) would rule in favor of the children.

#WATCH | On the Supreme Court adjourning the hearing of the case relating to the NEET-UG 2024 exam, Advocate for Petitioner, Neetu Verma says, "Today's hearing has been adjourned for next Thursday. They had demanded some investigation report from the CBI…But no investigation… pic.twitter.com/gwZw8EH1tW

— ANI (@ANI) July 11, 2024

The Supreme Court will hear a series of petitions on July 18, concerning the alleged paper leaks and irregularities in the NEET-UG 2024. The Union government submitted the affidavit, strongly opposing the call for a re-test. The affidavit included a detailed report from IIT-Madras, which refutes claims of widespread malpractices or unfair advantages at certain exam centers.

In its July 8 hearing, the Supreme Court directed the NTA to disclose details about the timing and circumstances of the question paper leak. The court also instructed the central government to submit affidavits outlining their actions and requested a status report from the CBI regarding the NEET-UG examination. The court acknowledged that the integrity of the exam had been compromised.

NEET-UG 2024 Paper Leak Hearing Today: Centre’s Affidavit Submitted; Will Supreme Court Order a Re-Test?

July 11, 2024, 9:14 am

The Supreme Court will hear a series of petitions on Thursday, July 11, concerning the alleged paper leaks and irregularities in the NEET-UG 2024. This comes a day after the Union government submitted a new affidavit, strongly opposing the call for a re-test. The affidavit included a detailed report from IIT-Madras, which refutes claims of widespread malpractices or unfair advantages at certain exam centers.

More than 40 petitions are scheduled for the Supreme Court’s consideration.

During the previous hearing on the NEET-UG 2024 case, a three-judge bench led by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud heard several pleas and set the next hearing for July 11.

The NEET-UG, administered by the National Testing Agency (NTA), serves as the entrance exam for MBBS, BDS, AYUSH, and related courses in both government and private institutions across the country. The NEET-UG 2024 exam, conducted on May 5, was embroiled in controversies over paper leaks and the provision of grace marks to some students.

“The fact that the sanctity of the exam has been compromised is beyond doubt. It is an admitted fact that there is a leak, and the nature of the leak is something that we are determining. If it is not extensive, then there is no cancellation. But before we order a retest, we must be conscious of the extent of the leak as we are dealing with 23 lakh students,” the three-judge bench stated.

The Centre’s affidavit, submitted on Wednesday, asserted there was no evidence of “mass malpractice” or localized benefit leading to abnormal scores in NEET-UG 2024. The affidavit referenced IIT-Madras’s data analytics, which indicated that the marks distribution followed a typical “bell-shaped curve,” suggesting no irregularities.

The Union government’s affidavit also detailed the steps taken to maintain the exam’s integrity and address any malpractices.

The NTA, in its affidavit, stated that only 47 candidates were suspected of involvement in paper leaks and irregularities with OMR sheets. The NTA is considering switching the exam format from OMR (pen and paper) to online tests. It also plans to rely on the IIT-Madras report during Thursday’s proceedings.

In related developments, the CBI arrested two more individuals from Patna on Tuesday in connection with the paper leak case. Sunny Kumar, a NEET-UG candidate, was arrested from Nalanda, and Ranjit Kumar, another candidate’s father, was arrested from Gaya. To date, the investigation has led to the arrest of eight individuals from Bihar and Jharkhand.

NEET-UG likely To be Replaced By Online Format

July 9, 2024, 8:53 am

The national eligibility-cum-entrance test for undergraduate medical studies, NEET-UG, may be replaced by online exam format similar to JEE-Mains for engineering courses, according to the Center’s plans. The Supreme Court is apparently investigating recent reports of irregularities in the test, which are the reason for this adjustment.

The idea of converting NEET-UG to an online format has been discussed within the relevant committee, according to an anonymous central government official, but no formal direction has yet been issued. Online testing is becoming more popular due to the recent controversy surrounding NEET-UG and other competitive exams.

A second official highlighted the logistical challenges of this potential change, noting that around 2.3 million students took the test in 2024. Equipping the approximately 4,000 test centers across the country with computers and the necessary infrastructure would be a significant task. However, the official acknowledged the benefits of conducting the exams online, similar to JEE-Mains.

Currently, NEET-UG is administered offline using pen and paper, where students answer multiple-choice questions on an OMR sheet. If converted to a Computer Based Test, candidates would use a computer to take the test and mark their answers digitally.

In 2024, 1.4 million students appeared for JEE-Mains, which was conducted across 570 centers.

Exams will soon be computer-based, according to Dr. MC Misra, a former director of AIIMS in Delhi. In order to close current gaps, he thinks that getting online is crucial. “Taking this test online is the only way forward to plug the loopholes; there is no point in continuing with the offline mode when the whole world is moving towards computer-based exams,” he added. Notwithstanding, he conceded the intricacy of executing an exam of this magnitude virtually and proposed that, in order to facilitate the shift smoothly, it might be imperative to administer the test in stages and furnish localised questionnaires.

NEET-UG 2024: Counseling Delayed Due to Paper Leak Row; Awaited New Date

July 6, 2024, 12:46 pm

The counseling process for NEET-UG 2024 has been postponed due to allegations of a paper leak. Currently, authorities have not announced a new date for resuming the counseling sessions. Students awaiting the counseling process will need to await further updates from the organizing body regarding the scheduling of these sessions. The delay has caused uncertainty among applicants who are eager to proceed with their admissions into medical colleges based on their NEET-UG scores.

NEET UG counselling deferred until further notice: Official sources pic.twitter.com/VVMvpGwDDH

— ANI (@ANI) July 6, 2024

Mastermind of NEET scam, Sanjeev Mukhiya, exposed: Another major scam uncovered

July 1, 2024, 1:29 pm

In the unfolding NEET paper leak investigation, a cascade of new details has emerged. Alongside the CBI, the Economic Offences Unit (EOU) has unearthed substantial leads in the case.

Concurrently, there are ongoing probes into the leaked question papers related to the Bihar Public Service Commission’s third phase of teacher recruitment exams. As the EOU’s investigation nears its conclusion, it has been revealed that Sanjeev Mukhiya, identified as the mastermind behind the NEET scam, played a central role.

His son Shiv was also deeply involved in the operation. Investigators have discovered that Sanjeev Mukhiya and his son coordinated operations across multiple locations to target examination centers. The full extent of their network, including other associates, has now been exposed.

Additionally, it has come to light that a Kolkata-based press named ‘Darbari’ was contracted to print the leaked papers. Reports indicate that Sanjeev and his accomplices meticulously planned their activities with this press over a span of three months before executing their plan.

During questioning of the press owner, fresh allegations concerning the leakage of question papers for military recruitment exams have also surfaced, adding another layer of complexity to the investigation.

NEET UG Result 2024 Released: Check Scores and Merit List on exams.nta.ac.in

July 1, 2024, 9:27 am

The NEET UG Result 2024 has been announced! As per the schedule, the National Testing Agency (NTA) has released the NEET 2024 results on the official website exams.nta.ac.in. Students who appeared in the re-exam as well as those who opted not to take the exam can now check their results at neet.ntaonline.in. The new result and merit list are available for all aspirants to view. To download their result, candidates need to enter their application number and date of birth.

NEET Re-Exam Result 2024 Live Updates:

The NTA had earlier released a provisional answer key and invited objections until June 29 (11 PM). The final result and answer key have been prepared after considering the objections raised by the candidates.

Steps to Check NEET Result 2024:

Visit the official website – exams.nta.ac.in
On the homepage, select the NEET scorecard link.
Enter the application number, date of birth, and other required details.
The new scorecard will be displayed on the screen.
Download and print the scorecard for future reference.

The NTA released the NEET Results 2024 on June 4, with 67 students achieving AIR 1 and over 1500 students receiving grace marks. However, many students reported discrepancies in the results, leading to controversy. After multiple protests and a Supreme Court hearing, the NTA withdrew the NEET results for 1563 students and announced a re-test for these students, which was held on June 23. The results of the re-exam have been released today.

NEET 2024 Counselling:

The counselling for NEET 2024 is set to begin on July 6. Eligible candidates must register for the counselling process. According to the NTA, 9,96,393 male candidates, 13,31,321 female candidates, and 17 transgender candidates appeared in the NEET UG 2024 exam conducted on May 5, with an overall attendance rate of 96.94 percent. For more details, candidates can visit the official website.

‘Government Is Ready for All Discussions’ Says Dharmendra Pradhan Amid NEET Controversy

June 28, 2024, 3:35 pm

Following the controversy surrounding the leak of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) for medical undergraduates and the cancellation of UGC-NET due to integrity issues, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan emphasized the need for discussions to be conducted with tradition and decorum.

“The government is prepared for all discussions, but they must occur within the established norms and decorum. The President’s mention of the exam in her recent speech reflects our readiness to address any issues… Our responsibility is towards the youth and students of the nation… The government is prepared to present its stance, so where is the confusion? … We will take stringent action, and the CBI will hold everyone accountable. A credible high-level committee has been set up for reform, and the dates for all these exams will soon be announced. I urge the opposition to prioritize discussion over politics,” Dharmendra Pradhan stated.

“We will not spare anyone. Those responsible at NTA have been replaced by senior officials. This demonstrates the government’s commitment… I appeal to the opposition not to mislead the students,” he added.

However, the opposition remains firm in their demand for a discussion on the alleged irregularities in the NEET exam. Rajya Sabha LoP and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge remarked, “Under Rule 267, we are insisting on a special discussion on this matter in the House, after which we will state our demands.”

Congress MP Deepender Singh Hooda expressed concern, stating, “The future of our youth has been jeopardized due to continuous paper leaks across the country, particularly in Haryana. NEET exam papers were leaked, and Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan is evading responsibility. When we raised this issue in the House, the microphone was turned off. Such actions create anger among opposition MPs, and that’s exactly what happened. We demand a thorough discussion on this issue.”

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) registered a criminal case on June 23 regarding alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG and UGC-NET exams. The agency’s FIR highlighted “isolated incidents” during the NEET (UG) 2024 exam held on May 5, 2024. Conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA), this exam saw participation from over 23 lakh candidates across 4,750 centers in 571 cities, including 14 cities abroad. The Ministry of Education has formed a high-level committee to propose reforms in exam processes, enhance data security, and improve NTA operations.

Lok Sabha Adjourned Until July 1 Amid Opposition’s NEET Debate Demand

June 28, 2024, 2:34 pm

The Lok Sabha was adjourned until July 1 on Friday after opposition members called for an adjournment motion to suspend all business and discuss issues related to the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET). Speaker Om Birla declined the request, stating that the House was set to discuss the Motion of Thanks on President Draupadi Murmu’s joint address to Parliament from the previous day. Despite this, the opposition persisted, leading to continued uproar and the Speaker eventually adjourning the session until Monday.

Earlier on Friday, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, demanded a discussion on NEET in Parliament, emphasizing the need for a “respectful” discussion. “Yesterday, all the leaders of the opposition parties had a meeting and it was unanimous that today, we want a discussion on the NEET issue. There should be a discussion on NEET here in the House. I request the Prime Minister that this is an issue of the youth and it should be discussed properly and it should be a respectful discussion. We will do it respectfully. You should also join the discussion, you should also participate because this is a matter for the youth. A message should go from the Parliament that the Indian government and the opposition are talking about the students together,” Rahul Gandhi told ANI before entering the Parliament.

Inside the Parliament, he added, “We wanted to give a joint message to the students of India, on behalf of the Opposition and the government, that we consider this an important issue. So, we thought that to respect students, we would have a discussion on NEET today, a dedicated discussion…”

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju responded, “…On behalf of the government, we have made it clear that we will give detailed information on whatever issue is raised. We assure the members once again that the Government is always ready for discussion. But by halting the proceedings of the House, the tendency adopted by Congress party – of not letting the House function – is not right…I condemn this. I appeal that those should not happen again.”

Notably, on June 23, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) registered a criminal case regarding alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG and UGC-NET exams conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA). Special teams were formed to investigate the matter. According to the CBI’s FIR, “isolated incidents” occurred in a few states during the NEET (UG) 2024 examination, which took place on May 5, 2024.

The NEET (UG) 2024 exam was conducted by the NTA at 4,750 centers in 571 cities, including 14 cities abroad, with over 23 lakh candidates appearing. An unprecedented 67 candidates achieved a perfect score of 720 out of 720, sparking widespread protests across the country.

In response, the Ministry of Education has established a high-level committee of experts to recommend reforms in the examination process, improvements in data security protocols, and enhancements to the functioning of the NTA.

18th Lok Sabha Inaugural Session To Begin Today: PM Modi and New MPs to Take Oath

June 24, 2024, 7:48 am

The first session of the 18th Lok Sabha is set to commence on Monday, featuring the oath-taking ceremony of newly-elected Members of Parliament, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Anticipation of a tumultuous session is high as the opposition plans to challenge the BJP-led NDA government on several issues, including the election of the Speaker on June 26, allegations of paper leaks in NEET-UG and UGC-NET, and the controversy surrounding the appointment of the pro-tem Speaker.

President Droupadi Murmu will administer the oath to BJP lawmaker Bhartruhari Mahtab as the pro-tem Speaker of the Lok Sabha. Following this, Mahtab will invite Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Leader of the Lok Sabha, to take his oath as a member of the House.

The election for the Lok Sabha Speaker is scheduled for June 26, followed by President Murmu’s address to the joint sitting of both houses of Parliament on June 27.

This session marks the beginning of the 18th Lok Sabha following the general elections, where the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) secured 293 seats, and the INDIA bloc won 234, with the Congress holding 99 of those seats.

A meeting of the newly elected Congress MPs is set to take place at 10 am at the CPP office in Parliament today.

In light of the alleged irregularities in the 2024 NEET-UG medical entrance exam, Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi have criticized the BJP, expressing their support for the affected students.

The appointment of BJP leader Bhartruhari Mahtab as the pro-tem Speaker is expected to be a contentious issue, with the opposition arguing that Congress Member K Suresh, the senior-most member, was overlooked.

Bhartruhari Mahtab will oversee the oath-taking of the newly elected members and the proceedings of the House.

The Congress has expressed strong disapproval of the central government’s decision to appoint seven-term BJP MP Bhartruhari Mahtab as Pro-tem Speaker over the senior-most Dalit MP, Kodikkunnil Suresh of Congress, arguing that this decision deviates from the traditional practice of appointing the senior member.

Congress leader K Suresh stated, “We are claiming that an eighth-term MP should be the pro-tem Speaker…They have done wrong and now the whole country is criticising the decision of the BJP government.”

Congress MP Hibi Eden added, “There are certain customs related to the Parliament of India, and it is always the senior-most member irrespective of the party, who is given the opportunity to become the pro-tem speaker… Unfortunately, a Dalit member, who is an 8-time MP from Kerala has been denied the right to become the pro-tem speaker. This shows the attitude of the NDA government towards the Dalit and the oppressed community of this country. They have violated all the traditions and customs… Even though this session is hardly for 8 days, it should have been in consensus with the opposition because we are representing almost 45 percent of the country.”

President Murmu has also appointed Suresh Kodikunnil, Thalikkottai Rajuthevar Baalu, Radha Mohan Singh, Faggan Singh Kulaste, and Sudip Bandyopadhyay to assist the pro-tem Speaker in administering the oaths of the newly elected members.

The first session of the 18th Lok Sabha will be held from June 24 to July 3 for the oath/affirmation of newly elected Members. The 264th Session of Rajya Sabha will also commence on June 27 and conclude on July 3.

Additionally, the Samajwadi Party Parliamentary meeting is scheduled for Monday in Delhi, to be chaired by the party’s National President Akhilesh Yadav.

The previous session of the 17th Lok Sabha (Budget session) took place from January 31 to February 10, 2024.

NEET Row: Prime Suspect Sikandar Yadvendu, Key Details

June 22, 2024, 5:25 pm

The Bihar Police’s EOU identified Sikandar Yadvendu as the main suspect in illegally distributing NEET exam papers. They arrested 13 individuals, including four NEET-UG 2024 candidates and their families, all from Bihar.

DIG Manavjit Singh Dhillon mentioned that nine more candidates, seven from Bihar, one from Uttar Pradesh, and one from Maharashtra, were summoned for investigation.

On May 5, Anurag Yadav, a NEET candidate, along with his uncle Sikandar Yadvendu and two others, Nitish Kumar and Anand, were arrested. Anurag confessed that Yadvendu had assured him of leaked exam questions for a price of ₹30 lakh per candidate. The group was apprehended in a rented house in Ramkrishna Nagar, Patna, where police discovered phones, admit cards, and other evidence.

Sikandar Yadvendu’s Involvement

Yadvendu, a 56-year-old junior engineer at Danapur’s municipal committee, hailing from a farmer’s family, was arrested as the prime suspect in a paper leak case, per the Indian Express. Formerly a small contractor until 2012, he resides in a rented flat in Rupaspur, Patna, and holds a diploma in engineering with over a decade of contracting experience.

In the 1980s, Yadvendu’s father, a farmer from Bihar’s Samastipur with eight bighas of land, moved to Ranchi after completing class 10 for further studies, earning a diploma.

In 2012, during NDA’s Bihar rule, Yadvendu became a junior engineer in the state’s water resources department. By 2016, he faced allegations in a ₹2.92 crore LED scam in Rohtas Municipal Council, accused of buying LEDs at inflated prices for Dalmia Nagar. He was arrested and released on bail.

In 2021, he reportedly leveraged his connections to transfer to the urban development and housing department, where he secured a position in the Danapur Municipal Council. The Indian Express reported his influence in approving layouts for new apartment projects in the area.

The Yadvendu Political Controversy

Bihar Deputy CM Vijay Sinha claimed that RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav’s secretary contacted an NHAI guest house worker to book a room for Yadvendu.

At a press conference, he said, “On May 1, Tejashwi Yadav’s personal secretary Pritam Kumar called guesthouse worker Pradip Kumar to book a room for Sikander Kumar Yadvendu who was jailed in Ranchi. On May 4, Pritam Kumar called Pradip Kumar again to book the room in the NHAI guest house. The word ‘Mantri’ was used for Tejashwi Yadav. He should clarify if Pritam Kumar is still his PS, and he should also clarify who Sikander Kumar Yadvendu is. When Lalu Prasad Yadav was jailed in Ranchi, Sikander Kumar Yadvendu used to be at Lalu’s service. He was a Junior Engineer in the irrigation department. They play with the future of the people. They do scams when they are in power, and they try to influence the appointment process.”

Responding to the allegations, Yadav said on Friday, “The INDIA alliance is united on this issue. We want the NEET exam to be immediately canceled. The (BJP) has all the investigation agencies, they can call the PS or PA anyone for the probe. They want to divert the issue from the kingpin. Those who want to drag my name or my PA’s name, this will not benefit anyone. The engineer who is talked about could be a beneficiary, but Amit Anand and Nitish Kumar are the masterminds of the paper leak. The people of the country know that whenever BJP comes to power, then paper leaks happen.”

“Only Vijay Sinha is making these claims. The Economic Offences Wing (EOU) has never raised any questions. When the arrests happened in May since then we have been raising our voices to carry out a probe. The engineer (Sikandar Yadvendu) about whom they are talking was recruited in 2021 by them in the urban development from the water resources department. Why do they want to save Amit Anand and Nitish Kumar? The truth will prevail soon. When paper leaks happened in the third phase of the teachers’ recruitment test (TRE) conducted by BPSC the accused get bail without going to prison,” he added.

Rahul Gandhi Attacks PM Modi Over NEET, UGC-NET Exam Controversies

June 20, 2024, 4:43 pm

On Thursday, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the controversies surrounding the NEET and UGC-NET exams. Taking a jibe at PM Modi, Gandhi remarked, “It was being said that Modi ji stopped the Russia-Ukraine war. But due to some reasons, Narendra Modi has not been able to stop or doesn’t want to stop paper leaks in India.” Notably, the Congress leader also questioned the objectivity of the entire education system.

Gandhi alleged that the leaks were occurring because the “education system has been captured by the BJP’s parent organization.” He added, “Till the time this is not reversed, paper leaks will go on. Modi ji has facilitated this capture. It is an anti-national activity.” The UGC-NET exam was cancelled by the Education Ministry a day after it was conducted, marking the participation of 11 lakh students across 1,205 centres nationwide.

“And this organization and the BJP have penetrated our education system and destroyed it. What Narendra Modi did to the economy with demonetization, he has now done to the education system,” Gandhi said. He further emphasized that the objectivity of the education system has been demolished and all those involved should be punished at the earliest.

LIVE: Press Conference | AICC HQ, New Delhi https://t.co/GsNstCR3Uv

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) June 20, 2024

NEET-UG 2024 Controversy: Supreme Court To Hear New Petitions Today

June 20, 2024, 12:45 pm

Today, the Supreme Court will hear new petitions about the NEET-UG 2024 exam. There are claims of paper leaks and cheating. The vacation bench of Justice Vikram Nath and Justice SVN Bhatti will handle these petitions.

Eight petitions are from 56 students. They talk about problems in the NEET-UG exam. The Student Federation of India (SFI) also filed a petition. They want the exam to be canceled and held again. The petitions ask the Central Government to keep the exams fair. They want steps to stop paper leaks and cheating in future exams.

Another petition from 20 students asks for an investigation. They want the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) or another independent agency to look into the exam issues. They want to check students who scored over 620 marks. The National Testing Agency (NTA) has filed 10 petitions. They want all other cases about NEET-UG transferred to the Supreme Court. There are reports of paper leaks in states like Bihar. This has caused protests and many petitions in different courts.

On Wednesday, the Supreme Court did not stop NEET counseling. Earlier, the court asked the NTA to check for any exam issues. Justices Nath and Bhatti said even small mistakes in the exam must be fixed. They stressed that the exam issues should not be treated as regular court cases. The court did not start a CBI investigation last week. But it asked the NTA to respond to the new petitions in two weeks.

The Supreme Court noted that students work hard for these exams. They said NEET-UG 2024 issues should not be adversarial. On June 13, the Central Government and NTA told the Supreme Court they canceled grace marks for 1,563 students. These students took the exam for medical courses.

NEET UG 2024 Row: Arrested Candidate Confesses To Exam Paper Leak

June 20, 2024, 12:44 pm

Anurag Yadav, a 22-year-old NEET 2024 candidate, has admitted to using a leaked question paper for his exam. The leaked paper he received matched the actual exam paper.

Anurag Yadav, the nephew of an engineer working at Bihar’s Danapur Town Council, confessed in a letter. His relative, Sikandar Prasad Yadavendu, assured him that everything for the exam was arranged. Yadav said he was given the leaked NEET 2024 question paper with answers. During the exam, he found the actual paper was the same as the leaked one. Yadav’s confession letter also had his signature.

The Union Education Ministry has asked Bihar Police’s Economic Offences Unit for a report on the NEET exam irregularities. There have been many reports of question paper leaks in Bihar and other states. These issues have caused protests in several cities and led to court cases in high courts and the Supreme Court. A senior ministry official stated, “We have asked for a detailed report on the irregularities in Patna’s NEET exam. The government will take action once the report is received.”

The government is dedicated to maintaining the fairness of exams and protecting students’ interests. The official added, “Anyone involved in this issue will face strict action.” The NEET exam leak scandal has raised serious concerns about the integrity of the examination process. Authorities are working to ensure such incidents do not happen again and that those responsible are held accountable.

NEET Exam Scam: Congress Alleges ‘Organized Corruption’, Congress Calls For Nationwide Protests On June 21

June 19, 2024, 4:35 pm

Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal has called for nationwide protests on June 21 against alleged irregularities in the NEET-UG 2024 results. Venugopal, recently elected as MP from Kerala’s Alappuzha, criticized what he termed as organized corruption in BJP-ruled states, citing recent arrests in Bihar, Gujarat, and Haryana related to the exam.

In a letter, Venugopal highlighted technical glitches, malpractice, and unfair means reported from certain NEET-UG test centers. He expressed concerns over the integrity of the exam process, pointing to issues like the awarding of grace marks to over 1,500 students, an unusually high number of perfect scores, and allegations of a leaked question paper.

NEET-UG, the primary entrance exam for undergraduate medical courses across India, witnessed participation from over 24 lakh students this year across numerous test centers. The results, declared on June 4, sparked immediate controversy and dissatisfaction among aspirants.

As the debate over the exam’s fairness intensifies, stakeholders continue to scrutinize the situation, calling for transparency and accountability in the conduct of such critical national exams.

NEET 2024 Watch: NTA Schedules Re-Exam for June 23, Supreme Court to Hear Pleas on July 8

June 15, 2024, 1:25 pm

The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) 2024 results continue to stir controversy. The Supreme Court is set to hear two new petitions today seeking the cancellation of the NEET UG Results 2024. The National Testing Agency (NTA) announced the NEET results on June 4, but soon after, disputes regarding the number of top scorers and the awarding of grace marks emerged. Discontent with the results, numerous students and experts have approached the Supreme Court, requesting the exam’s annulment. Additionally, a NEET UG re-exam for over 1,500 candidates is scheduled for June 23, 2024.

Supreme Court to Hear NEET 2024 Result Cancellation Plea

On June 13, the Supreme Court addressed the NEET UG result cancellation and two other pleas. Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta of the vacation bench heard the petitions. The petitioners sought the cancellation of the NEET UG 2024 exam, a retest, and the removal of grace marks. Among the petitioners was Physics Wallah CEO Alakh Pandey, who argued that NTA’s decision to award grace marks was “arbitrary.”

This follows a June 11 decision by the vacation bench to issue a notice to NTA, acknowledging concerns that the ‘sanctity of the exam’ may have been compromised. However, the Supreme Court had previously declined to halt the NEET counselling process, instructing the counsel to direct the plea through the Chief Justice. The plea addressed on June 11 pertained to the NEET paper leak, filed on June 1 before the results were announced, and was rescheduled for July 8. The counsel was permitted to request the consolidation of all related pleas with the registry after the Supreme Court’s vacation ends.

Today, the apex court will consider pleas challenging the NEET UG results and the methodology employed by the NTA. The hearing is set to commence at 10:30 am.

NEET Result 2024 Controversy Explained

The NEET 2024 results were published on June 4, naming 67 students as toppers with All India Rank (AIR) 1. Some students scored 718 and 719 marks, which, according to the NEET marking scheme, should not be possible. The NTA explained that it awarded grace marks to over 1,500 students due to time lost and the revision of a Physics question. This explanation did not quell the controversy, as students have alleged discrepancies in the results, leading to nationwide outcry. Additionally, allegations of tampering with NEET OMR sheets have further heightened concern.

#WATCH | Patna, Bihar: Students stage a protest over NEET exam issue demanding cancellation of the exam.

NTA has earlier announced to reconduct the NEET (UG)– 2024 on 23 June 2024 for 1563 candidates who had experienced time loss during the originally scheduled examination on… pic.twitter.com/X5WgihVgSA

— ANI (@ANI) June 15, 2024

NEET Paper Leak Allegations Denied by Education Minister

June 13, 2024, 4:54 pm

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has firmly dismissed claims of a NEET paper leak. Speaking to reporters, Pradhan emphasized that no concrete evidence supports the allegations. He also clarified that grace marks were awarded to students to make up for the time lost due to an error during the examination.

He explained the situation, stating, ‘During the exam, held across 4,500 centers in 13 languages, incorrect question papers were mistakenly sent to six centers. This affected around 1,563 students’. Although the correct papers were later provided, the delay caused a loss of time. In line with the Supreme Court’s standing order, the National Testing Agency (NTA) constituted an expert committee to assess the situation. The committee decided to award grace marks to the affected students rather than conducting a re-examination. This decision, however, sparked controversy when it was discovered that some students received perfect scores.

The Central Government has now informed the Supreme Court that the decision to award grace marks has been reversed. Instead, the 1,563 affected students will have the option to retake the exam on June 23, with results to be announced by June 30. The counselling process for admissions into various medical courses will begin on July 6.

The NEET-UG exam, conducted on May 5 across 4,750 centers, saw participation from approximately 24 lakh candidates. The results, initially slated for release on June 4, were delayed following the completion of the answer sheet evaluation process. Allegations of NEET paper leak and the awarding of grace marks led to protests and legal actions in multiple high courts and the Supreme Court. A particularly contentious issue arose when 67 students achieved perfect scores of 720, an unprecedented event in the NTA’s history. Notably, six of these students were from a single center in Faridabad, Haryana, prompting concerns about possible irregularities.

Student demonstrations erupted in Delhi on June 10, with many demanding a thorough investigation into the alleged anomalies. Some protesters suggested that the grace marks might have contributed to the unusually high number of top scorers. As the situation unfolds, all eyes are on the Supreme Court’s decisions and the upcoming retake of the NEET-UG exam. The education sector is keenly observing how these developments will impact the credibility and fairness of one of India’s most crucial entrance exams.

IMA Junior Doctors Call for CBI Probe into Alleged NEET 2024 Irregularities

June 8, 2024, 12:55 pm

The Indian Medical Association (IMA) Junior Doctors Network has called for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry into alleged irregularities surrounding the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) 2024. In a letter to Pradeep Kumar Joshi, Chairperson of the National Testing Agency (NTA), they also urged for a re-examination “to ensure a fair and transparent evaluation process for all the students”. Concerns were raised regarding discrepancies in scores, perfect scores by some students, the concept of grace marks, and paper leaks.

“Some students have scored 718 and 719 marks, which is statistically questionable… No list has been shared as per given grace marks… NEET 2024 paper was leaked in many locations but why no action has been taken yet?” the letter highlighted. It also mentioned discrepancies between scores on scorecards and OMR sheets, as well as the unprecedented increase in perfect scores.

The Junior Doctors Network questioned the premature declaration of results and the significant rise in the cut-off. Dr. Indranil Deshmukh, National Convener of IMA Junior Doctors Network, emphasized the impossibility of scoring 718-719 marks according to the negative marking system. He announced the network’s intent to organize an all-India strike if demands were not addressed.

Meanwhile, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra criticized the Modi government over the alleged irregularities in NEET. She demanded a proper investigation into the matter to address students’ legitimate complaints. However, the National Testing Agency (NTA) denied any irregularities and attributed the record results to various factors, including an easier exam, increased registrations, and grace marks due to a ‘loss of examination time’.

The NEET exam witnessed 20.38 lakh registrations, with 11.45 lakh candidates qualifying. The declaration of results saw 67 students achieving an All India Rank (AIR) 1.