On June 4, the National Testing Agency (NTA) released the results of the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test, Undergraduate (NEET-UG), a critical examination for admission to medical, dental, and AYUSH courses in both public and private institutions. Around 2.4 million candidates took the entrance examination held on May 5 in 571 cities, 14 of which were outside India. This year’s results drew significant attention as an unprecedented 67 candidates achieved a perfect score of 720/720, securing the top spot nationwide with All India Rank 1, whereas the exam had 2 toppers in 2023 and 1 in 2022.
An aspirant took to X and said, “67 students scoring 720 out of 720 marks in the results released after the NEET exam paper leak raises suspicion. This is playing with the future of lakhs of candidates in the country, due to which there is anger among the students. The government should conduct a high-level investigation”.
Concerns emerged regarding candidates who scored 718 or 719 marks, with some questioning the plausibility of these scores within the exam’s framework. Challenges to the NEET UG results were promptly filed, with 3 petitions submitted in different High Courts. Additionally, on June 1, a plea was brought before the Supreme Court, calling for a re-evaluation of the examination due to alleged leaks of the question paper.
A petition was filed by NEET candidate- Jaripiti Kartheek, challenging the award of grace marks as compensation for alleged loss of time during the exam. He contended that the “normalization formula” to award grace marks at best could extend only to the number of questions that may be left unanswered in proportion to the loss of time, given that each question has equal mark weightage; therefore equal time distribution to answer each question can be assumed.
Moreover, questions are also being raised on students getting 718 and 719 marks (out of 720) in the undergraduate medical entrance exam as the marking scheme follows +4 -1 system. The results were also released 10 days earlier than expected, coinciding with the announcement of the Lok Sabha Election Results, which some found suspicious. Furthermore, allegations of question paper leaks had been raised earlier, and the fact that multiple toppers were from the same exam center added to the concerns.
Students Have Filed Complaints Against NTA
Following the announcement of the NEET 2024 results, many aspirants raised concerns about exam irregularities, leading to demands for a re-exam. Social media buzzed with hashtags like “NEET scam” and “NEET paper leak”. Numerous complaints were filed against the NTA, questioning the timing and process of the result declaration.
A NEET 2024 candidate from Lucknow, Ayushi Patel was seen saying that her result was not generated. When she contacted NTA, she received a response that her NEET 2024 OMR sheet was torn, hence, her result could not be computed. On requesting to see her NEET OMR sheet, NTA mailed her the OMR sheet which was torn, but the answer options were visible for all questions. According to the candidate, she scored 715, the same as her calculation from the NEET 2024 answer keys.
In response to the above, NTA took to social media platform ‘X’ and stated: “Regarding the viral video featuring Ms. Ayushi Patel, claiming discrepancies in NEET (UG) 2024 scoring and receiving of the torn OMR answer sheet, NTA clarifies that no torn OMR answer sheet was sent via an official NTA ID. OMR answer sheet is intact and scores are accurate as per official records.”
Parents of the aspirants also complained to the deputy commisionor after 8 NEET toppers were from the same center. “I gave a written complaint to the local administration when I noticed eight toppers from the same center of Jhajjar (in Haryana). Some students from the center were given grace marks that makes the news fishy,” said Dr Krishan Sharma to NDTV. Dr Sharma, whose daughter is among the affected students, said the future of thousands of students are stressed.
The controversy has had tragic consequences as an 18-year-old medical aspirant from Kota has died by suicide following the announcement of the NEET-UG results. Briefly stated, the court was dealing with 3 petitions filed challenging the NEET-UG, 2024 results for widespread irregularities and raising suspicions with regard to the grant of grace marks in the test by National Testing Agency to over 1500 candidates on the ground of “loss of time”.
One of the petitions was filed by Physics Wallah CEO-Alakh Pandey, who claimed that the NTA’s decision to award grace marks was “arbitrary“. Reportedly, Pandey collected representations from about 20,000 students, showing that about 70-80 marks were randomly awarded as grace marks to at least 1,500 students. He said, “After the result of NEET, lakhs of children are worried about why such strange things are happening in the result this time. We have asked NTA for a lot of answers, but we are not getting a lot of answers.”Advocate J Sai Deepak represented the petitioner.
As of June 13, the Supreme Court has announced that these grace marks will be revoked. The 1,563 candidates will be informed of their actual scores, excluding the grace marks, and will have the option to retake the exam, as informed by the Union Government’s counsel to the Supreme Court today. If these students choose not to retake the test, their scores from the May 5 exam will be considered final. The Court closed the issue of grace marks in this petition but kept it pending to consider the other grievances.
The second petition was filed by SIO members Abdullah Mohammed Faiz and Dr. Shaik Roshan Mohiddin, seeking recall of the NEET-UG 2024 results and conduct of a fresh exam over alleged paper-leak and other malpractices. Notice was issued on this petition today.
Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi also criticized the Modi government on Friday over the NEET results, urging an investigation to address students’ complaints. In a post on X, Gandhi said, “First the NEET exam paper was leaked and now the students allege that there has been a scam in its results as well. Serious questions are being raised on 6 students of the same center getting 720 out of 720 marks and many kinds of irregularities are coming to the fore. There are reports of many children committing suicide across the country after the results were announced,” Gandhi said and added that this is very sad and shocking.
“Why is the government ignoring the voice of lakhs of students? Students want answers to legitimate questions related to the rigging in the NEET exam results, is it not the government’s responsibility to resolve these “legitimate complaints” by conducting an investigation?” Gandhi asked.
The NEET-UG exams play a pivotal role in determining the future of medical aspirants in India, as they serve as the gateway to prestigious medical, dental, and AYUSH courses. Given their importance, any irregularities or lack of transparency in the exam process causes immense stress and anxiety among students. The recent controversies surrounding the results highlight the need for stringent oversight and accountability from the NTA.
Ensuring a fair and transparent examination process is crucial not only to uphold the integrity of the exams but also to safeguard the aspirations and mental well-being of millions of students. The NTA must address these concerns promptly and transparently to restore confidence in the examination system and prevent further distress among candidates.